英文科學讀本 第二冊·Lesson 28 The Horse

Lesson 28 The Horse

We are going to talk about the horse, said Fred. we will all go into the stable, and have a look at our dear old Tommy—the best horse in the world.

Now, Norah, he began, after they had petted and stroked Tommy, "what can you tell us about him?"

I should begin by saying that the horse is a big strong animal, said Norah. "He is bigger than the cow. We use him to draw heavy loads, because he is so strong."

Very good, said Will, "and he is useful because he obeys his master, and is quiet, gentle, and patient at his work.

Now let us look at Tommy. Look at his beautiful large, gentle eyes. Dear sensible old fellow, he looks almost as if he knew what we were saying.

Do you notice, said Fred, "that the eyes are set not quite in the front of the face, but a little to the side? The horse can see well all round him. Notice his ears too. They are short, erect, and pointed, and very sharp. Did you see Tommy prick up his ears as we came in?

In his wild state the horse is very timid. He wants sharp eyes and ears to warn him when his enemies are near.

Father came in just then, and Fred asked him to show them Tommy's teeth.

Come on, Tommy, old boy, said their father, "open your mouth, and let the children see your teeth."

Fred pointed out the six, sharp, cutting teeth, top and bottom. "There is no pad in the top jaw," said he. "The cow and the horse do not feed in the same way. The horse nibbles the grass a mouthful at a time, and chews it up at once, before he swallows it. He does not chew the cud. Look at Tommy's great grinding teeth. They are meant to crush up his food.

The horse's foot is not cloven, like the cow's foot. It is one solid piece—a single toe; and this one toe is covered with a hard, horny case, or hoof.

How do the wild horses manage, Fred? They have no one to make shoes for them. Oh, and I say, does it hurt Tommy when they nail those iron shoes on his feet?

One question at a time, dear, please, said Fred.

The wild horses live on smooth grassy plains. Their hoofs do not wear out as they do on our stony roads. We put shoes on their feet to save them from wearing away on the stones. You will be glad to know that the farrier does not hurt the horse, when he drives the long nails into his hoof. The hoof is a hard substance like horn. It can be cut as easily as we cut our nails. Here are some fine pictures of horses. The first one is the cart-horse, a powerful animal for drawing heavy loads.

This is the hunter. He carries his master on his back. This one is the race-horse, a very fleet runner."

SUMMARY

The horse has sharp, cutting teeth in both jaws, and large, broad teeth for grinding. He does not chew the cud. His hoof is not cloven; it is really a single toe, covered with a horny case. His eyes are at the side of the head, and his ears are erect and very sharp. The cart-horse draws heavy loads; the hunter carries his master; the race-horse is a very fleet runner.