126 



tice should be taken of his starting a little, as 

 it is a good sign, unless he is seriously fright- 

 ened; on such an occasion it is best to let the 

 reins be loose and free, but at the same time 

 the rider should be on his guard without seem- 

 ing to be so; and when the animal finds that 

 his starting is unobserved, it is most probable 

 that he will pass the object of his alarm qui- 

 etly. When a horse begins to start, and feels 

 his rider gather up the reins hastily, he then 

 apprehends there is actually reason for alarm, 

 as he concludes that the rider, from putting 

 himself into an attitude of safety, is frightened 

 also ; but by suffering the reins to be loose, it 

 will shew him that his fears are groundless; 

 but if he persist in his obstinacy, it is neces- 

 sary to apply coercion, and to ride him boldly 

 up to the object at which he takes fright; for 

 if he once gets the better of his rider in this 

 respect, he will always remain untractable. 



Some horses will naturally stand hre, the 

 noise of drums, &c. but these are few. The 

 best way to make them steady at such noises is 

 to fire pistols at the stable door before and at 

 the time you give him his oats, or let a drum 

 be beaten at the same time, and whenever he 



