TAMING HORSES. 119 



motions. Every one that has ever paid any atten- 

 tion to the horse, has noticed his natural inclina- 

 tion to smell everything which to him looks new 

 and frightful. This is their strange mode of exa- 

 mining everything. And, when they are fright- 

 ened at anything, though they look at it sharply, 

 they seem to have no confidence in this optical ex- 

 amination alone, but must touch it with the nose 

 before they are entirely satisfied ; and, as soon as 

 this is done, all is right 



♦ EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE. 



If you want to satisfy yourself of this character- 

 istic of the horse, and to learn something of impor- 

 tance concerning the peculiarities of his nature, 

 &c., turn him into the barn-yard, or a large stable 

 will do, and then gather up something that you 

 know will frighten him— a red blanket, bufialo- 

 robe, or something of that kind. Hold it up so 

 that he can see it, he will stick up his head and 

 snort. Then throw it down somewhere in the cen- 

 tre of the lot or barn, and walk oflT to one side. 

 Watch his motions, and study his nature. If he 

 is frightened at the object, he will not rest until he 

 has touched it with his nose. You will see him 

 begin to walk around the robe and snort, all the 

 time getting a little closer, as if drawn up by some 

 magic spell, until he finally gets within reach of it. 



