iam sure that all of you know me, and think that i am a useful sort of creature. i suppose most of you have had a ride in a wagon or carriage drawn by me or some other horse.

when i was a boy-horse i was called a colt. i lived then on a farm, and did no work, but played most of the time in the fields. you may see by the picture on this page that i was made quite a pet of by the young folks on the farm. pleasant times, indeed, those were with me!

but when i was about four years old, i was “broken in.” you may not know just what that means, so i will tell you. it means to teach a horse to work. he must get used to having a bit in his mouth, and learn to wear a bridle, a collar, a saddle, and a crupper.

he must submit to being harnessed, and hitched to a wagon or carriage. he must stand still when he is told to, and walk or trot, fast or slow, just as his driver wishes.

he must not start nor jump at anything he sees, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own, but always do his master’s bidding. a horse when he feels good is inclined to show his joy by prancing about, and when tired he likes to lie down; but he must learn not to follow these inclinations when he is in harness or under the saddle.

just think what a disagreeable thing it would be to have a bit in your mouth! a piece of hard, cold metal pressing on your tongue, and held on by straps about your head so that you cannot get rid of it. i thought it was dreadful at first, but after a while grew so used to it that i did not mind it.

it was so with all the other things. it took time to make me reconciled to submit to them, but by degrees they seemed easier and easier, and now, as i have a kind master, i am glad that i am able to be useful to him.