TAMING HOESES. 63 



you did whilst he was in the pen. If he shows no 

 signs of fear at the explosion of the gun, when 

 fired off from his back or neck, you are sure of 

 him. But you must exercise him a little, for two 

 or three days more ; at the end of which, you may 

 always rely on him afterwards. Should he be 

 somewhat refractory, when you take him out of the 

 pen, which would be a rare case, though some 

 horses may be, put him again into it, and repeat, 

 and you will never fail to succeed. In the same 

 progressive manner, you can correct the defects of 

 a skittish horse, in a great measure; but some are 

 of so fearful a nature that, if they have been 

 gentled in the common way, it requires a great 

 deal of patience to manage them. 



A SKITTISH HORSE. 



The best method of correcting a horse of this^ 

 description, when one is on the road, is, to stop him 

 suddenly, whenever he appears to be frightened at 

 any thing he sees before him or at his side. Let 

 him stand perfectly still : get down, if he does not 

 become quiet in three or four minutes, and handle 

 him in the forehead. Lead him by the bridle to 

 the object that frightened him : then lead him back 

 to where he was, and get on him. K-ide him up to 



