HANDLING YOUR HORSE 55 



have no intention of being rough or unkind, but 

 they happen to have harsh and discordant voices 

 that grate on a sensitive ear. These people are 

 seldom successful or popular with animals, and 

 should never attempt the breaking-in of young 

 horses. 



Some grooms get into a very objectionable habit 

 of shouting at their charges for no reason at all, 

 and the result is the whole stable become nervous. 

 It is unnecessary to raise the voice above a whisper ; 

 as I have already said, a horse's hearing is very 

 quick. If you were to shout in angry tones at a 

 servant in your employ, you would be aiming a 

 blow at his nerves, even though the words used 

 were harmless, but if that servant, or, let us say, 

 a delicate woman, happened to be afraid of you, 

 the nervous system would receive such a distinct 

 impression that your voice would always afterwards 

 give a severe shock when raised above its ordinary 

 pitch. If the voice has this effect on a human 

 being, how much more will it jar on the sensitive 

 hearing of a horse ? 



I have dwelt rather long on this subject because 

 I consider it one of great importance to horse- 

 owners, and as you are young it is easy for you to 

 begin on the right lines. However, do not accept 

 my conclusions as correct without first reasoning 

 the matter out for yourself and forming your own 

 opinions on the subject. 



Grooms are a very conservative body, and do not 

 even deserve the name of ^^ progressive/' which is, 



