VICES 65 



what we may call temporarily insane. His brain js 

 not working properly, and to thrash him is just as 

 foolish as to thrash an engine in which some little 

 piece of machinery has got out of gear and impedes 

 the even work. We see a very similar state in people 

 who get hysterical or have a fixed idea on one point 

 while quite sane on all others. It is of no use to rlog 

 them ; but treat them quietly, and the fit passes off 

 and they become themselves again. 



This, I think, explains the success and failure of 

 the remedies used. The remedy itself is of little 

 importance. It acts indirectly, simply by giving a 

 new direction to the horse's mind, and in this way 

 getting rid of the fixed idea. One remedy is to get 

 down and examine the horse's feet in turn as if you 

 suspected a stone to be wedged into either of them, 

 then return to the near fore- foot and hold it up. 

 Keep it up until he shows signs of weariness in that 

 attitude, but never mind him, that is what you want. 

 He is just thinking to himself, 'Whatever is this 

 idiot holding up my foot for like this ? I have no 

 stone in it. I am not lame. My shoes are not loose. 

 Here, let go, will you V Then is the time to per- 

 severe. Hold on, don't fidget, but be firm, and keep 

 the foot in the same position, now and then saying 

 sharply and clearly, ' Woa, then ! Stand still !' The 

 horse gets sick of it ; then put the foot down, pat his 

 neck, mount your saddle or driving-seat again with 

 a quick and clear ' Get on !' or ' Gee up !' and he 

 will go, having something else to think about than 

 refusing to go where he is wanted. 



Another method is to quietly and persistently make 

 a jibber back, not by jerks and brutal tugs on his 

 mouth, but by steady force. A horse hates backing, 

 and when he finds that there seems to be no end 

 to the distance you mean him to go in that fashion, 



