TO THEE MASTER: I Offer My Prayer: Feed me, water and care for me, and when the day's work is done, provide me with a shelter, a clean dry stall large enough for me to lie down in comfort.

Always be kind to me,Talk to me, your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometime that I may serve you more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and do not whipe me when going up hill. Shoe me properly that I may serve you in comfort. Never strike, beat, or kick me when I don't understand what you want, but give me a chance to understand you. And if i fail to do your bidding see if something is wrong with my harness or hooves.

Do not check me so that I cannot have the free use of my head, or take away my best defense against flies and mosquitos by cutting my tail. Keep me well sheltered. Do not overload me or hitch me where water will drip on me. If you insist I wear blinders, so that I cannot see behind me as I was intended, I pray you be careful that the blinder stand well away from my eyes.

I cannot tell you when I am thristy, so give me clean cool water often. Save me, by all means in your power, from that fatal disease - the gander. Examine my teeth when I do not eat; I may have an ulcerated tooth. I cannot tell you when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me; not when I am working but when I am standing in the cold. Never put frosty bit in my mouthl first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.

I try to carry you and your burden without a murmur, an wait patiently for you to long hours of the day or night, without the power of choose my shoes or path. I sometime fill on hard pavement which I have often prayed might not be out of wood or soil, but of such a nature as to give me a safe and sure footing. Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.

And finally, Oh My Master, when my youthful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly tortured or stoned to death, but do thou, my master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable...Amen