1 2 2 MISCELLANE O US. 



may still be a sure-footed horse. In that case it is waste of 

 time to attempt a remedy; but if he should become for- 

 ward in your ownership, and be a reasonably young horse, 

 say from five to ten years, as soon as you notice the de- 

 cided weakness, have shoes off, and let him have a run at 

 pasture (if possible, an entire let-up from work), and whilst 

 idle have the back of his leg or legs (for sometimes only 

 one is affected) rubbed twice a day with dog's fat, if to be 

 had, if not to be had, hog's lard, with a small quantity 

 of pulverized camphor mixed or melted in with it, say 

 four ounces to the pound of lard. Three months' rest will 

 probably restore him for years of usefulness. 



TO CURE A SHYER OR JIBBER. 



Under some circumstances it is impossible to abso- 

 lutely prevent a shy, as, for instance, if it comes from 

 defect of vision. In that case the only remedy is to cure 

 the diseased organ. True, a horse having confidence in 

 his rider, when about to shy, if spoken to and encour- 

 aged, may be diverted from his object; but it may be of 

 so frequent recurrence as to become irksome to the rider; 

 and there is no cure, unless to cure the sight. Some 

 horses shy from habit ; having once learned their power 

 to wheel and run, they will do it for their own amusement. 

 To cure that is very simple : when he wheels, just at the 

 moment apply the opposite spur pretty vigorously, and 

 draw the opposite rein (snaffle), turn him clean around, 

 that will stop his run, and face him to the object. Now 

 incline both spurs, and with steady hand and seat speak 

 to him to go on : if he still refuses, and wheels again, 

 repeat the same method ; only at each repetition let him 

 feel more punishment from the spur. A very few attempts 

 will satisfy him that in this case he has mistaken his man, 

 and that he is no more master. A shy from absolute fright 



