18 RAREY ON HORSE-TAMING. 



his eyes steadfast upon you, until you get near 

 enough to touch him on the forehead. When you 

 are thus near to him, raise slowly and by degrees 

 youi' hand, and let it come in contact with that part 

 just above the nostrils, as lightly as possible. If 

 the horse flinches (as many will), repeat with great 

 rapidity these light strokes upon the forehead, going 

 a little further up towards his ears by degrees, and 

 descending with the same rapidity until he will let 

 you handle his forehead all over. Now let the 

 strokes be repeated with more force over all his 

 forehead, descending by lighter strokes to each side 

 of his head, until you can handle that part with 

 equal facility. Then touch in the same light man- 

 ner, making your hands and fingers play around the 

 lower part of the horse's ears, coming down now 

 and then to his forehead, which may be looked upon 

 as the helm that governs all the rest. 



Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance 

 towards the neck, with the same precautions, and in 

 the same manner ; observing always to augment the 

 force of the strokes whenever the horse will permit 

 it. Perform the same on both sides of the neck, 

 until he lets you take it in your arms without 

 flinching. 



Proceed in the same progressive manner to the 

 sides, and then to the back of the horse. Every 

 time the horse shows any nervousness, return imme- 

 diately to the forehead, as the true standard, patting 

 him with your hands, and thence rapidly to where 

 you had already arrived, always gaining ground a 



