`` By the Blue Gums of the Back Blocks , '' snorted the troop-horse , `` do you mean to say that you are n't taught to be bridle-wise in your business ? How can you do anything , unless you can spin round at once when the rein is pressed on your neck ? It means life or death to your man , and of course that 's life and death to you . Get round with your hind legs under you the instant you feel the rein on your neck . If you have n't room to swing round , rear up a little and come round on your hind legs . That 's being bridle-wise . '' `` We are n't taught that way , '' said Billy the mule stiffly . `` We 're taught to obey the man at our head : step off when he says so , and step in when he says so . I suppose it comes to the same thing . Now , with all this fine fancy business and rearing , which must be very bad for your hocks , what do you do ? '' `` That depends , '' said the troop-horse . `` Generally I have to go in among a lot of yelling , hairy men with knives -- long shiny knives , worse than the farrier 's knives -- and I have to take care that Dick 's boot is just touching the next man 's boot without crushing it . I can see Dick 's lance to the right of my right eye , and I know I 'm safe . I should n't care to be the man or horse that stood up to Dick and me when we 're in a hurry . '' `` Do n't the knives hurt ? '' said the young mule . `` Well , I got one cut across the chest once , but that was n't Dick 's fault -- '' `` A lot I should have cared whose fault it was , if it hurt ! '' said the young mule . `` You must , '' said the troop horse . `` If you do n't trust your man , you may as well run away at once .
That 's what some XXXXX our horses do , and I do n't blame them .
By across at for if of to under unless with