Horses have been known to fight for their friends, both human and
canine.
A farmer near Edinburgh possessed a hunter which had carried him safely
for many a day over moorland heath as well as beaten roads. He was one
day returning from the city, where he had attended a jovial meeting,
when, feeling more than usually drowsy, he slipped from his saddle to
the ground, without being awakened by the change of position, and
letting go the bridle as he fell. His faithful steed, which had the
character of being a vicious horse, instead of galloping home, as might
have been expected, stood by his prostrate master, keeping as strict a
watch over him as a dog could have done.
Some labourers, coming by at daybreak, observed the farmer still
sleeping near a heap of stones by the roadside. Intending to assist
him, they drew near, when the horse, by his grinning teeth and ready
heels, showed them that it would be wiser to keep at a distance. He did
not, probably, understand their humane intentions; but not till they had
aroused the farmer, who at length got on his feet, would his equine
guardian allow them to proceed.
Mrs F--mentions another instance of a high-spirited Irish horse, which,
under similar circumstances, used to defend his master.
This man, a dissipated character, often coming home at night tipsy,
would fall to the ground in a helpless state. Had the horse, while the
man was in this condition, forsaken him, he would have been run over by
any vehicle passing along the road; but the faithful horse was his
vigilant guardian and protector. If nobody approached, the animal would
stand patiently beside his prostrate master till he came to himself. He
has been known to stand at his post during the whole of the night. If
any one came near, he would gallop round him, kicking out his heels; or
rearing and biting, if an attempt were made to touch him. Thus the man
and animal changed places, the intelligent brute protecting both himself
and his brutalised master.
I have a word to say even on this subject. Beware lest you take the
first step which may lead you to become like the man I have described.
You cannot expect, like him, to have a sagacious horse to watch over
you. Yet, at the same time, do not be less faithful to an erring
companion than were those noble steeds to their owners; watch over and
protect him to the utmost. Learn to be kind to the thankful and to the
unthankful.