HORSE DOCTOR. 37 



SHYING 



While this vice is often the result of cowardice, or 

 playfulness, or want of work, it is at other times the con- 

 sequence of a defect of si^ht. It has heen remarked, and 

 we believe ver}^ truly, that shying is oftener a vice of 

 half or quarter-bred horses, than of those who have in - 

 them more of the genuine racing blood. 



In the treatment of shying, it is of great importance 

 to distinguish between that which is the consequence of 

 defective sight, and what results from fear, or newness 

 of objects, or mere affectation of skittishness. For the 

 first, every allowance must be made, and care must be 

 taken that the fear of correction is not associated with 

 the imagined existence of some terrifying object. The 

 severe use of the whip and the spur cannot do good 

 here, and are likely to aggravate the vice tenfold. A 

 word half encouraging and half scolding, with a gentle 

 pressure of the heel, or a slight touch of the spur, will 

 tell the horse that there was nothing to fear, and will 

 give him confidence in his rider on a future occasion. It 

 should be remembered, however, that although a horse 

 that shies from defective sight may be taught considera- 

 ble reliance on his rider, he can never have the cauj^e of 

 the habit removed. We may artificially strengthen the 

 human sight, but that of the horse must be left to 

 itself. 



The shying from skittishness or affectation is quite a 

 different affair, and must be conquered: but how? 

 Severity is altogether out of place. If he is forced into 

 contact with the object by dint of correction, the dread 

 of punishment will afterwards be associated with that 

 object, and, on the next occasion, his startings will be 

 more frequent and more dangerous. The way to cure 

 him is to go on, turning as little as possible out of the 

 road, giving a harsh word or two, and a gentle touch 

 with the spur, and then taking no more notice of the 

 matter. After a few times, whatever may have been 



