A HORSE'S PRAYER
FEED ME, WATER ME AND CARE FOR ME. AND WHEN MY DAY'S
WORK IS DONE, PROVIDE ME WITH SHELTER, A CLEAN, DRY BED,
AND A STALL WIDE ENOUGH FOR ME TO LIE DOWN IN COMFORT.
TALK TO ME. YOUR VOICE OFTEN MEANS AS MUCH TO ME AS THE
REINS.
PET ME SOMETIMES, THAT I MAY SERVE YOU MORE GLADLY AND
LEARN TO LOVE YOU.
DO NOT JERK THE REINS AND DO NOT WHIP ME WHEN GOING
UPHILL.
NEVER STRIKE, BEAT OR KICK ME WHEN I DO NOT UNDERSTAND
WHAT YOU MEAN, BUT GIVE ME A CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND.
WATCH ME, AND IF I FAIL TO DO YOUR BIDDING, SEE IF
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY HARNESS OR FEET. EXAMINE MY
TEETH WHEN I DO NOT EAT. I MAY HAVE AN ULCERATED TOOTH
THAT IS VERY PAINFUL.
DO NOT TIE MY HEAD IN AN UN-NATURAL POSITION, OR TAKE
AWAY MY BEST DEFENSE AGAINST FLIES BY CUTTING OFF MY
TAIL. (I DON'T TAKE AWAY YOUR MOSQUITO CURTAINS.)
DON'T SMOKE IN MY BARN OR LEAVE ME TIED UP OVERNIGHT AND
PERHAPS BURN ME TO DEATH WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING IN YOUR
COMFORTABLE BED.
AND LAST, MY MASTER; WHEN MY STRENGTH IS GONE, DO NOT
TURN ME OUT IN A PASTURE WITH NO SHELTER AND LET ME
FREEZE TO DEATH, OR SELL ME TO SOME CRUEL OWNER TO BE
SLOWLY STARVED, OR WORKED TO DEATH, BUT TAKE MY LIFE IN
THE KINDEST WAY, AND YOUR GOD WILL REWARD
YOU--HEREAFTER.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
