NERVOUS HORSES. 187 



nervous horses applies to them. They have to be promptly- 

 brought back, and severely punished. 



The proof that they are actuated only by vice is that, 

 when returning to their stable, they will treat with absolute 

 indifference the objects which caused them to spin round, 

 when going out. 



If under these or any other conditions the horse shies, we 

 ought to steady him and bring him back by lateral effects. 

 If he shies to the right, the right snaffle rein ought to be 

 strongly carried to the left, and the right leg should be 

 vigorously applied. In other words, to correct a shy to the 

 right, we should apply two effects from right to left. By using 

 the left rein — which people usually have the bad habit of doing 

 — the rider will help the horse to throw to the right his 

 haunches, which his right leg will not be able to keep straight. 

 Further, if there is danger to the right, the horse may throw 

 himself unwittingly into it, because, having his head turned 

 to the left, he will not be able to see where it is. But the 

 right rein, when applied strongly to the neck, presses him to 

 the left, and aids the effect produced by the right leg, which 

 prevents the haunches from being carried to the right. 



If the horse shies to the right, the rider is shifted to the 

 left. In such cases he keeps his seat in the saddle by the 

 strong pressure of the right leg, from which he obtains 

 safety. 



Horses which spin round, almost always do so to one 

 particular side. If we have a mount which uses this mode of 

 defence, we should begin by finding out the side he turns to, 

 and by holding on that side a stick about eighteen inches 

 long. I do not like a whip for this purpose, for it is too 

 flexible ; and if, for instance, we use it on the left, its end may 

 bend and strike the right side, or, what is worse, may injure 

 the animal's eyes. 



Immediately the horse turns his head to spin round, but 



