Introducing a Young Horse to Hounds 



will be well repaid if he dismounts occasionally, calls 

 the dog to hand and fondles him under the gaze of his 

 nervous horse. Volumes have been written about the 

 intelligence or stupidity of horses, and elaborate techni- 

 calities are impractical for the average horse-lover; as 

 he has his own views on equine psychology. However, 

 it is not unreasonable to suggest that a horse soon 

 grasps the fact that as the dog is the master's friend, 

 the master is the horse's friend, therefore the dog is 

 the horse's friend. He may not argue in logical 

 syllogisms, but one will be amazed at the change in his 

 behaviour after a few days' treatment. 



Gradually, the rider when mounted, can coax the dog 

 to come to his stirrup for a tit-bit. If he is a big dog 

 and can be induced to rest his fore-paws on the rider's 

 boot, so much the better. Little touches like that give 

 the horse confidence. 



The ideal school-room is his loose-box. He is in 

 familiar surroundings and free from all distracting 

 influences. The dog should be taken in to him, on a 

 lead preferably at first. A casual grooming helps to 

 preserve normal conditions. Soon he can be given some 

 oats in the dog's presence, and they become fast friends; 

 later he will allow the dog to wander or doze in his 

 loose-box at will. 



Now that he has developed a strong canine friendship 

 he still needs careful handling where a pack of hounds 

 are concerned. He should be broken to them gradually. 

 His introduction should not take place on a narrow road, 

 where hounds and horses are closely packed together 

 and space is too cramped if any unforeseen excitement 



B 55 (01280) 



