ilODERN FARRIEE,. 201 



A horse is not to stop without a sign from his 

 rider. — Is it not then probable, that when driven up 

 to a carriage he starts at it, he conceives himself 

 obliged either to attack or run against it ? Can he 

 vmderstand the rider's spurring him with his face 

 directed to it, as a sign for him to pass it ? That a 

 horse is easily alarmed for his face and eyes (he will 

 even catch back his liead from a hand going to caress 

 him); that he will not go with any force, face to 

 face, even to another horse (if in his power to stop) ; 

 and that he sees perfectly sideways, — may be useful 

 hints for the treatment of horses with regard to 

 starting. 



Though you ought not to whip a horse for start- 

 ing, there can be no good effect from clapping his 

 neck with your hand to encourage him. If one 

 took any notice of his starting, it should be rather 

 with some tone of voice which he usually under- 

 stood as an expression of dislike to what he is doing ; 

 for there is o2)positiou mixed with his starting, and 

 a horse will ever repeat what he finds has foiled his 

 rider. 



Notwithstanding the directions above given, of 

 not pressing a horse up to a carriage he starts at ; 

 yet if one which you apprehend will frighten him 

 meets you at a narrow part of the road, when you 

 have once let him know he is to pass it, be sure you 

 remain determined, and press him on. Do this 

 more especially when part of the carriage has already 

 passed you : for if, when he is frightened, he is ac- 

 customed to go back, and turn round, he Vv^ill cer- 

 tainly do it if he finds, by yoiu' hand slackening, 

 and legs not pressing, that you are irresolute ; and 

 this at the most dangerous point of time, when the 

 wheels of the carriage take him as he turns. Re- 

 member not to touch the curb rein at this time ; it 

 will certainly check him. It is not known to every 

 one, that the person who would lead a horse by the 

 bridle, should not turn his face to him when lie re- 



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