MODERN FAimiEE. 199 



a punishment for doing so, he would not by that 

 method learn to do it. He seems to be in the same 

 maimer taught to spring and fly when he is fright- 

 ened. JNIost horses would go quietly past an object 

 they were beginning to fly from, if their riders, in- 

 stead of gathering up their bridles, and shewing 

 themselves so ready, should throw the reins loose 

 upon their necks. 



When a horse starts at any thing on one side, 

 most riders turn him out of the road, to make him 

 go up to what he starts at : if he does not get the 

 better of his fear, or readily comply, he generally 

 goes past the object, making with his liinder parts, 

 or croup, a great circle out of the road ; whereas, he 

 should learn to keep straight on, without minding 

 objects on either side. 



If he starts at any thing on the left, hold his head 

 high, and keep it straight in the road, pulling it 

 from looking at the thing he starts at, and keeping 

 your right leg hard pressed against his side, towards 

 his flank : he will then go straight along the road. 

 By this method, and by turning his head a little 

 more, he may be forced with his croup close up to 

 what frightened him ; for as his head is pulled one 

 way, his croup necessarily turns the other. Always 

 avoid a quarrel with your horse, if you can : if he is , 

 apt to start, you will find occasions enough to exer- 

 cise his obedience when what he starts at lies di- 

 rectly in his way, and you must make him pass ; if 

 he is not subject to start, you should not quarrel 

 with him about a trifle. 



It must be observed, however, that this rule in 

 going past an object may perhaps be a little irregular 

 in a managed horse, which will always obey the leg : 

 but even such a horse, if he is really afraid, and not 

 restive, it may not be amiss to make look another 

 way ; unless the object be something you would 

 particularly accustom him to the sight of. 



