STARTING AND SHYING. 49 



When the liorse begins to kick, the rider must bear 

 forcibly upon his mouth, and keep his head well up. 

 The rider should also clasp the sides of the horse 

 firmly with both legs, keeping the bodj well back- 

 wards, as in the act of leaping. He should use as little 

 coercion as possible, and be as careful to preserve his 

 own temper as his seat. 



When the horse starts or shies, take no farther 

 notice of the movement, than to meet him with the 

 proper bearings and pressures to compel him to move 

 in the true direction. A few caresses will soon restore 

 him, and the momentary alarm will pass off. But if 

 the horse be punished for it, the alarm will not readily 

 subside ; he will take an early opportunity to shy 

 afresh, at the first sti"ange object that presents itself, 

 and he will add another start on the instant, in antici- 

 pation of the spurring and whipping that may be in 

 store for him. Thus what was originally a failing from 

 defect of vision, or an ebullition of spirit from over 

 feeding and want of proper exercise, becomes a vice, 

 rooted and confirmed, and of dangerous character. To 

 halt tlie horse, and compel him to look at or smell the 

 object of his alarm, answers no good purpose whatever. 



When the horse starts, and is roundabout in a 



