RUNNING AWAY — SHYING. 377 



their rider or driver. There is no cure for this ; and the 

 only thing that can be done is to fasten a round piece of 

 leather, or use some other mechanical contrivance, so that 

 the animal cannot possibly get the cheek of the bit into his 

 mouth. Neither soothing nor beating will remedy this 

 trick, as the horse who has once been guilty of it is sure to 

 seize the first opportunity to repeat it, when anything vexes 

 him. Many very serious accidents have happened to per- 

 sons from horses running away with the cheek-bit between 

 their teeth, 



RUNNING AWAY. 



The only thing that can be done in this case is to use a 

 strong curb with a sharp bit, and at the same time always 

 keeping a firm bridle-hand. But if in spite of these pre- 

 cautions he does run away, if there is plenty of open space, 

 or a ploughed field at hand, turn him into it, and apply the 

 curb, spur, and whip, as vigorously as possible, and make 

 him run until he is heartily tired of it. If anything can 

 effect a cure, this will. Some horses only bolt off when 

 they hear the cry of the hounds, and will not be restrained 

 while the chase continues ; other horses seem to be well 

 aware when they are mounted by unskilful riders, and 

 endeavour by bolting to throw them off ; while some vicious, 

 headstrong animals bolt even with the best of riders. 



SHYING. 



Of all the vices incidental to the horse, shying is one of 

 the worst, and more accidents have happened from it than 

 any other of the vices or defects of a horse. Shying pro- 

 ceeds from various causes, but one of the principal is defec- 

 tive vision ; timidity stands next ; and it often proceeds 

 from a disposition to be playful. This vice is far less com- 



3c 



