56 HORSEMANSHIP. 



with restiveness, arises from defective vision, high spirits, 

 or fear, the rider should not attempt to counteract it by 

 punishment, beyond a chiding word, or a slight touch of 

 the spurs, just to indicate his wishes. He may, how- 

 ever, take a good hold of the reins, and press him well 

 up to the bit with his legs. It is only reasonable, as 

 "Harry Hieover" remarks, to turn the horse's head 

 away from the object at which he shies, so that it may 

 no longer affect him. Partial cataract, and shortsighted- 

 ness, which is frequently present with that prominent 

 appearance of the eye called among horsemen "buck 

 eyes," are not uncommon causes of shying. In the vast 

 majority of cases, however, the two faults we are con- 

 sidering are the results of unskilful riding on previous 

 occasions. A generous, high-spirited horse starts at a 

 bird flying across the road, or at hearing the report of a 

 gun, as any nervous person might do, or pricks his ears 

 on seeing some unusual object. The man on his back 

 thereupon snatches at the reins, "jobs" him with the 

 spurs, hits him with the whip, and yells out, " Do you 

 think I stole you t " or some other choice expression 

 which he has the authority of his groom for considering 

 to be en regie. An animal thus treated will naturally — 

 for a horse never forgets — connect in his own mind the 



