132 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



On Shying. 



It often happens that a horse brimfull of qualifications 

 of the very best description is most reluctantly sold by 

 his master " because he shies so dreadfully," a frolic which, 

 to a good rider, is perfectly harmless, and which, if he 

 deems it worth the trouble, he is almost certain to cure. 



A timid horseman, however, not only believes that his 

 horse is frightened at the little heap of stones at which 

 he shies, but for this very reason he becomes frightened 

 at it himself; whereas the truth is that the animal's sensa- 

 tions in passing it are usually compounded as follows : — 



Of fear of | ^l^e kittle heap . . ^. 

 j whip and spur . . ^. 



Now, if this be the case, which no one of experience 

 will deny, it is evident that the simple remedy to be 

 adopted is, first, at once to remove the great cause of the 

 evil complained of, by ceasing to apply either whip or 

 spur ; and, secondly, gradually to remove the lesser cause 

 by a little patient management which shall briefly be ex- 

 plained. 



When a horse has been overloaded with a heavy charge 

 of oats and beans, which may be termed jumping powder, 

 and primed by a very short allowance of work, his spirits, 

 like the hair trigger of a rifle, are prepared on the 



