HORSE SENSE. 139 



operate against themselves rather than us, and, the results will be much 

 more satisfactory than the usual methods of either indulgence or pun- 

 ishment. 



THE USEFULNESS OF OUR HORSES DEPENDS ON THEIR 

 EARLY EDUCATION. 



The usefulness of our horse is, to a marked degree, just what we 

 make it. We do not advise letting our horses control us by their su- 

 perior strength, neither. do we encourage the idea of conquering our 

 horses by punishment and abuse. The true principle of control of 

 horses for the best results, is by such means as will deprive them of 

 their power to oppose us, and our kind and humane treatment of them 

 whenever we are in close contact with them. Whenever we get our 

 horses into trouble, confinement or entanglement, it is far better to be 

 away from them during their efforts to liberate themselves, and, when 

 they find all efforts fruitless, then is the proper time to go to their 

 assistance, and relieve them of any entanglement or uncomfortable posi- 

 tion they may have got into in the struggle, bearing this one n^inciple 

 in mind strictly, we become masters of the situation, if our means and 

 methods are practically applied. 



WE MUST ALWAYS BE SURE WE HAVE THE MEANS OF 

 CONTROL. 



One point of great importance in the management of horses, is to 

 be sure we have the absolute means of control, without failure either of 

 principle, method or appliance, and when these are properly applied, 

 any except insane horses will readily become subservient to the reason- 

 able requests of man. 



EDUCATION OF THE HORSE IN THE STALL. 



It is a great satisfaction to any owner of a good horse to have him 

 understand and promptly comply with all requests while in the stall, 

 without excitement, irritation or annoyance. One of our first duties 

 is to show the horse what we want of him in the stall and how he 

 should comply. After tying him to the manger and getting out of the 

 stall, the next thing is to get back into the stall on either side without 

 his resenting or crowding us in the stall. 



MANY COLTS SPOILED THE FIRST DAY IN THE STABLE. 



Many a colt has been forever spoiled the first day he was in the 

 stable, by the treatment he has received in trying to get him to stand 

 over in the stall. It is usually commenced by trying to push him over 

 from side to side; but if we have not strength enought to overcome this, 

 then we are too apt to resort to the whip, fork-handle or club to ac- 

 complish the desired result, and by this last means frequently make a 

 bad actor in the stall forever. 



