HORSES. 87 



very gentle with him. You may commence by throw- 

 mg a rope over the back, and letting it hang loose on 

 both sides ; then lead him about, caressing him, until he 

 becomes satisfied that it will not hurt him ; then put 

 on the harness, and pull gently on the traces — in a short 

 time, by this kind treatment, he will be prepared for 

 work. 



To MAKE A Horse stand while you mount. Get on 

 and dismount four or five times before you move him 

 out of his tracks ; and, by repeating this, any horse will 

 stand still. 



To CURE a Biting Horse. Biting is a bad and dan- 

 gerous habit. It is said that the bite of a horse that is 

 not mad will sometimes produce madness. The follow- 

 ing is regarded as an eff'ectual, but barbarous remedy ; 

 but it is to cure a savage habit. A horse would better 

 burn himself than bite people repeatedly. Roast or bake 

 a piece of meat, and present it hot as he attempts to bite. 

 Be cautious lest he bite a piece of live flesh instead of hot 

 meat. 



To accustom a Horse to the use of a Gun, Umbrella, 

 &c. Commence by shoMdng your friendship, by rubbing 

 the horse's face with your hand ; then snap and explode 

 percussion caps with a pistol ; let the horse frequently 

 smell the powder and smoke ; then you will fire small 

 reports, until fear is removed; then overhead, and be- 

 hind the horse, until all is free. If you have a very wild 

 horse, place him in a stall, so as to have him safe ; then 

 fire a gun all around him, and go often up to him, speak 

 to him, and rub him in the face, and then fire the gun 

 again, until he is free from starting. To make a horse 

 used to an umbrella, walk before him, raising it up and 

 shutting it again ; let him smell it, and rub it over his 

 head ; then get on him, gently raise it, and ride him 

 along, until the fear is over. 



To teach a Horse to lie down. First, with some soft 

 tiandkerchief or cloth, tie up one fore leg ; then, with a 

 ctick, tap him on the other, and say '< kneel ;" sometimes, 

 Dj rubbing him on the head, and patting him on the leg, 

 you will induce him to lie do\\Ti. It appears that all 

 horses are inclined to obey, when you teach them that 

 vou will not hurt them. 



