SHYING. 283 



horses will not pull on a cold collar. Some horses and some 

 stocks of horses are peculiarly disj^osed to become balky. 



Care in breaking is the only safe means of guarding against 

 this evil. The best conditioned horse may easily be made to 

 balk, by putting him to pulling when first geared. Let him 

 become thoroughly used to the harness before being required 

 to pull ; and then let but little weight on the shoulders at a 

 time, and gradually increase it. 



After the habit is acquired, but before it has become con- 

 firmed, especially if the horse backs at starting, it may be 

 obviated by having a stone behind the wdieel of the vehicle, 

 or being careful to start down hill. This, with gentleness and 

 persuasion, is the best treatment. 



A balky horse may be compelled to do work at the off wheel 

 in a four-horse carriage. The prospects of curing a balky 

 horse are very uncertain. 



SHYING. 



There is no more disagreeable habit in the horse than this, 

 when it is once confirmed. Playfulness often manifests itself 

 in this way, the horse affecting to be very much frightened at 

 some trifling object. The horse soon gets over this when put 

 down to his work. Genuine cowardice is another cause of 

 shying. The imagination of such a horse is very active; he 

 sees danger in almost every thing. Much may be done by firm, 

 kind treatment, to show the horse that his fears are unfounded. 

 In no case will giving way to his foolishness do. It will con- 

 vince him that his fears were correct. He should be perfectly 

 familiarized with the objects of his fears. By this means 

 their number may soon be much decreased, and the horse 

 rendered more agreeable. 



But the worst form of this vice, doubtless, results from 

 defective sight. This defect can not be remedied, as with 

 man. JS'or will it do to make use of violence to overcome it. 

 Blinds may be used on such a horse to prevent him from 



