THE GERMAN RESPECT FOR HORSES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2016, 25 March 1914, Page 10

THE GERMAN RESPECT FOR HORSES.

The following' appeal appeared, as a circular -rdce'iit-ly distributed to the soldiers of;Kaiscr ffilliolui's German army: ~ 'Men. and Horses: -In. the army of thel'atherlandlio'rses have always played.an important part: We oSve a great debt to-our horses foY: service, both in times df war and'peace'.' And'it is hoped Hiatal} good soldiers will see to it that the ■ rights of eur dumb brothers arc respected.' Our horses are entitled to food, water,"bedding; and shelter, just exactly as the trooper is. But beyond this it must be remembered that a horse should not bo insulted or distressed,'either by cruel treatment or vehement language. To curse a horse is just as bad.as to curse a man. Perhaps- it is worse;-, since" a-man niay strike back, but the librse' is practically jnthm- his- p'ower. The-courage of the horse conies from the courage , of the rider. . Alone ho is timid and nervous, beo to'it that he is not needlessly alarmed. Although a horse cannot express himself, ho has- a high intelligence. Words of encouragement and affection are grateful to him;- rough usage-and. hateful-language distress and righteiv him. .It is therefore .ordered that all swearing at horses be considered'an offence. Vile language towards aliorso-sliall be looked upoif henceforth 'by officers exactly as if'the unfit language were applied to a human being." . It is believed by many that Hid above jvas ivrittcn by none other than the iS-aiser'himself: ' '