SLIPPING THE COLLAR. 365 



vicious, thorough-bred horse had baffled the efforts of every one into whose hands he 

 had been put in order to be rendered tractable : at length a foreigner of considerable 

 repute among the equestrians of the " school," took him to make trial of; and in the 

 course of a twelvemonth had rendered him so quiet that not only could any person 

 ride him with the utmost safety, but, at the same time he was so docile and tractable 

 that he could be induced, by certain signs, to lie down and permit his rider to mount 

 before he arose again. 



The same forbearance and humanity have been practised with the same beneficial 

 results upon shy horses. With all such persons as are best able to give counsel in 

 cases of shyness, the language is now-a-days, " let the horse alone" — " take no no- 

 tice of his shyness" — " work him well and accustom him to the objects he dislikes, 

 and in time he will of himself leave off his trick of shying." 



This is good advice ; but, let it not be misinterpreted. Let it not be understood to 

 mean that the animal is to receive any encouragement to shy ; for by no other expres- 

 sion can be characterised that erroneous and foolish practice of patting the horse, or 

 "making much of him," either just before or during the time he evinces shyness. 

 The former is bad, because it draws the attention of the animal to the object he 

 dreads; the latter is vporse, because it fills him with the impression either that the 

 object itself is really terrific, or that he has acted right in shying at it, and ought to 

 do so again. 



Whether we are approaching the frightful object, or the horse is actually shying, 

 " we should let him alone" — " we should take no notice whatever of him" — neither 

 letting him perceive that we are aware that we are advancing towards anything he 

 dislikes; nor do more with him, while in the act of shying, than is necessary for 

 due restraint vpith a steady hand upon the rein. We may depend upon it, that 

 battling on our part will only serve to augment affright and arouse resistance on 

 his, and that the most judicious course we can pursue is to persevere in mild forbear- 

 ant usage. 



Shying on coming out of the stable is a habit that can rarely or never be cured. It 

 proceeds from the remembrance of some ill-usage or hurt which the animal has re- 

 ceived in the act of proceeding from the stable, such as striking his head against a 

 low doorway, or entangling the harness. Coercion will but associate greater fear 

 and more determined resistance with the old recollection. Mr. Castley gives an 

 interesting anecdote, which tends to prove that while severity will he worse than 

 useless, even kind treatment will not always break a confirmed habit. " I remember 

 a very fine grey mare that had got into this habit, and never could be persuaded to 

 go through a doorway without taking an immense jump. To avoid this, the servants 

 used to back her in and out the stable ; but the mare happening to meet with a se- 

 vere injury of the spine, was no longer able to back; and thenl have seen the poor 

 creature, when brought to the door, endeavo>iring to balance herself, with a stagger- 

 ing motion, upon her half-paralysed hind extremities, as if making preparation' and 

 summoning up resolution for some great effort; and then, when urged, she would 

 plunge headlong forward with snch violence of exertion, as often to lo'se her feet, and 

 tumble down, altogether most pitiable to be seen. This I merely mention," he 

 continues, " as one proof how inveterate the habits of horses are. They are evils, 

 let it always be remembered, more easy to prevent than to cure." 



When the cure, however, is early attempted, it may be so far overcome that it will 

 be unattended with danger or difficulty. The horse should be bridled when led out 

 or in. He should be held short and tight by the head that he may feel he has not 

 liberty to make a leap, and this of itself is often sufficient to restrain him. Punish- 

 ment, or a threat of punishment, will be highly improper. It is only timid or hio-h- 

 spirited horses that acquire this habit, and rough usage invariably increases th°eir 

 agitation and terror. Some may be led out quite at leisure when blindfolded ; others 

 when they have the harness bridle on ; some will best take their own way, and a few 

 may be ridden through the doorway that cannot be led, By quietness and kindness, 

 however, the ht/rse will be most easily and quickly subdued. 



SLIPPING THE COLLAR. 



This is a trick at which many horses are so clever that scarcely a night passes 

 without their getting loose. It is a very serious habit, for it enables the horse somo- 

 Uines to gorge himself with food, to the imminent danger of staggers; or it exposes 

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