378 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



mon among high-bred horses than with those which are 

 half-bred, although we have met with it in some of our first 

 racers. 



When we have a horse given to shying, our first attention 

 should be directed to the cause ; that is, whether it proceeds 

 from friskjness, timidity, or defective vision. 



When shying proceeds from playfulness, it is difficult to 

 Judge what mode of cure is best to be adopted, because if 

 corrected for it, he will associate with any object that 

 diverts his attention the infliction of punishment, which 

 will tempt him to run away, under the dread of a flogging ; 

 and if caressed for the fault, it is liable to induce him to 

 repeat it. But, of two evils, gentle correction must be 

 adopted, and rather to pass by the object than to take him 

 up to it. He should also be spoken to sharply. 



If shying proceeds from fear of new objects, the true way 

 to correct him of this is not to force him up to them, but to 

 pat him and soothe him, but avoid beating ; and take care 

 to pass the objects of his fear again and again, always going 

 nearer to them every time you pass. This will familiarize 

 him to them. Seeing that these are harmless, he will soon 

 learn to pass by unnoticed any novel object which he may 

 meet with upon a road. 



When an animal is given to shying from defective sight, 

 the only method to efiect a cure is to take him up to it, and 

 in the act of doing so he must be coaxed to approach it, and 

 on no account must he be beaten ; and although it some- 

 times happens that the horse will manifest great reluctance 

 to do so, he should be persevered with, and not allowed to 

 proceed until he has seen closely the object of his fear. 

 After he has been a few times thus treated, he will soon 

 learn to pass with indifference any object which he may 

 meet. 



