THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 31 



them. Don't ever abuse the colt, then you will never have 

 to abuse the horse. 



Here is a common incident : John is shoeing a horse, a 

 very lively piece of horse flesh. He goes up to him on the 

 rush, grabs the leg, and tries to get the foot in a position to 

 take the shoe oft" ; but the first thing he knows he is doubled 

 over his box and sprawling on the floor. The next thing 

 he does is to grab a cudgel or his hammer and attempt to 

 beat into that horse the idea that he has done something 

 wrong, but the horse can't see it in that light. He is all 

 ready for fighting now, and ever}" blow John strikes he 

 tries to return, but he is tied in such a manner he cannot 

 make much return. He jumps from one side to the other 

 and thrashes things in general. John thinks he will now 

 do just what he tells him, so he picks up that foot again, 

 but the next thing he knows he is trying to stand on his 

 head on the pile of old shoes. John is very mad now. He 

 is going to make that horse stand anyway, if he works all 

 day. This time he is a little afraid, so he goes up to that 

 horse careful, but the horse doesn't believe in it, and John 

 finds that the horse has got the best of him ; he won't be 

 coaxed nor petted; he is mad, too, now, and John gives 

 it up, saying, "He's an ugly beast, and can't be shod." 

 Well, that horse must be shod, but John has got all he 

 wants of the job. Jack comes along and says: ^^Why 

 don't you rope him, or tie one leg to his jaw ?" The horse 

 is roped and tied so he cannot kick or plunge without fall- 

 ing. The horse stands and the^^ shoe him, but it is hard 

 work and takes time and makes men bad-tempered, besides 

 spoiling the horse's disposition. 



The next time that horse is shqd John isn't around, so 

 George takes hold of him. He tries to kick him, but George 

 won't let him, but steps up to him and pats him, and tries 

 to coax him. The horse sa3's : " No, sir; I am all read}' to 

 fight." But George says: ''I won't fight." So he sends 



