I was beginning to grow handsome.
My coat was fine and soft, and was a shiny black.
I had one white foot, and a pretty white star on my forehead.
When I was four years old, Mr Gordon came to look at me.
He looked closely at my eyes, my mouth, and legs, and
then I had to walk and trot and gallop for him.
When he has been trained, Mr Gordon said to mu master, he will do very well.
My master liked to train his horses himself before selling them, and
the next day my training began.
To train a horse is to teach him to wear a saddle, and to carry a man, woman
or child on his back.
The horse must also learn to wear a collar, and to stand still when it is put on,
then to have a carriage fixed behind him, and to go fast or slow,
whichever his driver wishes.
He must never bite or kick or talk to other horses,
and must always do what his master tells him, however tired or hungry he feels.
Like all horses that have grown up, I had to wear a bit and bridle.
A bit is a great piece of cold hard metal, as thick as a man's finger, which is
pushed into a horse's mouth between his teeth and over his tongue,
with the ends comming out at the corners.
It is held there by straps which go over the horse's head,
under his neck, round his nose and under his chin.
Reins, which the rider holds, are fastened to each end of the bit.
Slowly, with my master's kind words and gentle ways, I learned to wear my bit and bridle.
Next there was the saddle.
My master put it on my back very gently, then fixed the straps under my body,
speaking quietly to me all the time.
Then one morning, he got on my back and rode me round the field on the soft grass.
He did this every day until I was used to it.
Then he took me to the village where a man fixed metal shoed on to each hoof.
My feet felt heavy and strange, but I got used to this too.
There were more new things to wear.
First, a heavy collar on my neck, and bridle with great side pieces against mu eyes,
called blinkers.
With these on, I could only see in front of me.
But in time I got used to everything and could do my work as well as my mother.
For a fortnight, my master sent me to a neighbour's farm for another kind of training,
which was very useful to me.
One field was next to the railway and had sheep and cows in it ,
and I was put in among them.
I shall never forget the first train that thundered by, and
how I galloped to the far cows when a train passed by.
It was early in May when a man came to take me away to Mr Gordon's house.
My master said, Goodbye, Darkie. Be a good horse, and always do your best.
I put my nose into his hand and he patte me kindly, and then I left my first home.
Mr Gordon's house, which was called the Hall, stood in Birtwick Park, mear the village.
We went into Park through a large gate , them trotted along a smooth road between
some trees to the house and gardens.
Beyond this were the stables.
There was room for many horses amd carriages.
My stable had four good stalls and a large window.
It was very pleasent.
The first stall was called loose box, where a hose is not tied up all the time
but is free to move around as he likes.
It is a great thing to have a loose box.
The groom put me into it and gave me some oats.
Then he patted me, spoke kindly and went away.
In the stall next to mine stood a little fat gray pony.
Hello, I said. What is your name?
Merrylegs, he said, turning round.
I am very handsome, I carry the young ladies on my back, and sometimes I
take Mrs Gordon out in one of the carriages.
And you going to live next to me in the box?
Yes, I said.
Then I hope you are well-behaved he said. I don't like anyone who bites.
A horse
s head looked over from the stall beyond.
It was a tall brown mare, and she did not look pleased.
So it's you who has turned me out of my box, she said.
I am sorry, I said, but the man put me in here, so it is not my fault.
I don't want to argue with anyone. I just wish to live in peace.