Gentling the Feet 



103 



him, but not until the animal has acquired a general 

 dislike to having his feet handled, and a particular 

 hatred of blacksmith shops. This excitement and 

 distrust can be avoided by a little patient effort in 



Fig. 24. — First position in picking up a rear foot. 



educating the horse to stand while his feet are being 

 handled. 



The best way to pick up the foot is to run your 

 left hand down over the shoulder, the fore arm, 

 grasping, say, the near foreleg just above the knee, 

 and to the rear (Fig. 22), and pinching the flexor mus- 

 cle, which stimulates the horse to pick up the foot. 



