3. They carry us on their backs, and draw great loads that half a dozen men could not move. 4. With them we plow and harrow and prepare the ground for planting. If we did not have horses, or other animals that can do the same kind of work, a man could only plant a little patch that he could dig up with a spade. 5. They draw loads of grain and fruit to market, and bring back what is needed on the farm. They draw in the hay in summer and bring up the wood in winter. They take to market the things which we raise on the farm, and bring back the goods which we buy at the store. 6. They will work from morning till night, in all kinds of weather, and are ready to get up and be off whenever they are needed. 7. When they have a heavy load, they walk along slowly; when a light one, they trot along quite rapidly. But if the doctor is needed, somebody jumps on the back of a horse, and off he gallops like the wind. 8. Then we harness the horses to a light wagon and take a ride; sometimes we go on a visit, sometimes to mill, sometimes on a picnic, and on Sundays we go to church. 9. In the winter, when snow is on the ground, horses draw sleighs instead of wagons. The sleigh makes but little noise in slipping over the snow, and a string of bells is put upon the horse to let people know that the sleigh is coming, so that no one need be run over. 10. When we go out sleigh-riding, all wrapped up in blankets and robes, the horses scud along, the bells jingle, and we have a gay time. LESSON XXVI. _WHAT THE HORSE CAN DO._ [Illustration: The Stage-Coach.] 1. Horses, when they do not work too hard, love to play and have fun. They will race after each other, kick up their heels, and have a merry time. Here are two stories which a man tells of the kind of fun that the horse seems to enjoy: 2. “One of our horses, ‘Billy,’ used to give us a great deal of trouble, he knew so much. He had found out how to untie his halter, and open the stable-door, and so would get out when the door was not locked. One day Billy came out, and found little Harry in the yard. He did not attempt to hurt the child, but drove him into a corner, and kept him there by shaking his head whenever the little fellow tried to get away. 3. “I heard Harry cry, and led Billy away; but he gave a parting shake of his head to the boy, as much as to say, ‘Next time I will look after you closer.’ 4. “Coming home one evening, I heard a couple of horses running and frisking about in the farm-yard at a great rate. The wall was high, and I could only see their heads, and once in a while a whisk of their tails. 5. “I found a hole to look through, and saw that the horses were amusing themselves by chasing a pig around the yard. 6. “They would drive it into a corner, and fling their heels into the air with great delight. They would not give the poor pig a moment’s rest.