Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/397

Rh On the other hand, it is only right that the large class of automobile drivers who show every consideration possible for other users of the highway should not be held responsible because a horse misbehaves itself on encountering a motor-car. Horse-owners must recognise that motor-cars have a right on the road, and, provided that the motor-car be driven properly, its owner must not be blamed because a horse objects to it.

The law as it now stands requires a motor-driver to stop when a man in charge of a restive horse holds up his hand. This, in my humble opinion, is very often a great mistake. What usually occurs is this: a person in charge of a nervous horse holds up his hand, the motor-car is brought to a standstill, but the engine is left running. Now a petrol motor makes ten times as much noise when the car is stationary as it does when the vehicle is moving, and consequently matters are not improved in the slightest; but if, on the other hand, the car be allowed to proceed slowly, the horse is sure not to mind it half so much.

It has been stated that the horse still retains many of the instincts which were possessed by its forefathers in their wild state. It is well known, for instance, that horses will become terrified with fear when passing a menagerie containing lions, tigers, &c., although the cages holding the animals are boarded round so that they cannot be seen. The odour of these beasts of prey terrifies the horse. This clearly is due to heredity. It is maintained that a horse fears any strange object which approaches it, first slowly, and then stops, just as a wild beast would do when about to spring at its victim. Possibly the horse for this reason fears a motor-car which approaches it cautiously and then is stopped in compliance with the demand of the horse-driver.

If all motorists would drive with consideration there would be no necessity for the law which requires them to stop. But as things are, perhaps the provision which gives the driver of a restive horse power to stop the motor-car is indispensable.

As I have before remarked, horses have grown quite used