In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 19 



horse makes the least motion when you advance towards 

 him stop and remain perfectly stilJ until he is quiet. 

 Remain in this condition a few minutes and then advance 

 again in the same slow and almost imperceptible manner, 

 and take notice if the horse stirs to stop without chang- 

 ing your position. It is very uncommon for a horse to 

 stir more than once, he generally keeps his eye steadfast 

 upon you until you are near enough to touch him on 

 his forehead. When you are thus near to him raise 

 slowly and by degrees your hand, and let it come in 

 contact with that part just above the nostrils as lightly 

 as possible. If the horse flinches (as many will) repeat 

 with great rapidity these light strokes upon his forehead, 

 going a little further up towards his ears by degrees and 

 descend with the same rapidity until he will let you 

 handle his forehead all over, when the strokes can be re- 

 peated with more force, descending by lighter strokes to 

 each side of his head, until you can handle that part with 

 equal facility. Then touch in the same light manner, 

 making your hands and fingers play around the lower 

 part of the horse's ears, coming down now and then to 

 his forehead, which may be looked upon as the helm that 

 governs all the rest. Having succeeded in handling his 

 ears advance towards his neck with the same precautions 

 and in the same manner, observing always to augment 

 the force of the stroke whenever the horse will permit it; 

 perform the same on both sides of the neck until he lets 

 you take it in your arms without flinching. Proceed in 

 the same progressive manner to the sides and then to the 

 back of the horse ; every time the horse shows nervousness 

 return immediately to the forehead, as the true standard, 



