44 RAREY ON HORSE-TAMING. 



handling his legs, tapping the hoofs with your hand 

 or a hammer — all this to be done in a firm, measured, 

 soothing manner ; only now and then, if he resist, 

 crying, as you paralyze him with the ropes, "Wo !" 

 iu a determined manner. It is by this continual 

 soothing and handling that you establish confidence 

 between the horse and yourself. After patting him 

 as much as you deem needful, say for ten minutes or 

 a quarter of an hour, you may encourage him to 

 rise. Some horses will require a good deal of help- 

 ing, and it may be necessary to draw out their fore- 

 legs before them. The handling of the limbs of 

 colts in this condition, particularly requires caution. 

 A colt tormented by flies, will kick forward nearly 

 up to the fore-legs. If a horse, unstrapped, attempts 

 to rise, you may easily stop him by taking hold of a 

 fore-leg and doubling it back to the strajDped posi- 

 tion. If by chance he should be too quick, don't 

 resist, for it is an essential principle of this system 

 never to enter into a contest with a horse unless you 

 are certain to be victorious. In all these operations 

 you must be calm, and never be in a hurry, or in a 

 passion. 



The principle established by this mode of treat- 

 ment is that you show no violence to frighten the 

 horse, and yet you force him to submit to your will, 

 caressing him when he assents and gently forcing 

 him when he does not. Repeated lessons will con- 

 vince the most vicious horse that you are his mas- 

 ter, and your gentle caresses consequent on his sub- 

 mission will at the same time give him confidence in 



