[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR"]
Sra,—I was greatly interested in the article in your last issue upon "The 'Thinking' Horse," especially in the extract quoted to show a horse's sagacity in finding its way home. I had a similar experience in the late war. We had left Luokhoff, O.R.C., at 2 a.m. to relieve some surrounded men about fifteen miles distant. The road traversed was little more than a well-worn cart-track, and one we had never before been over. On our return journey, after a halt at midday, 1, as having the fittest horse in the troop, was sent off to Lnekhoff in advance to see about rations for the men. After traversing about two miles of the eight miles remain- lag, I came to a place where the road branched into two. Luckhoff being behind a range of hills, and therefore in- visible, I chose the left as apparently showing more recent tracks. The mare wanted to take the other, and showed the greatest disinclination to do anything but walk. In fact, when I struck a strange column I had the greatest difficulty in getting her to go at all. Afterwards I learned that the mare was right, though she had only been over the road once, and that in the dark. Subsequently in traversing the veld at night, where the ground was frequently beset with big holes, I always let her have her head, and never found her make a false step.—I am, Sir, &c.,
G. H. OSBORNE, ex-Trooper 66th Yorks. I.Y. Elated Rectory, Peterafield.
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