GENERAL PRINCIPLES 27 



Some persons will no doubt disagree with this state- 

 ment, and cite cases in which this vice has been success- 

 fully banished from horses. I believe, however, that 

 in all or most of these cases the cure will be found to 

 be more apparent than real. Time alone will not 

 efface the disposition of a treacherous animal. If you 

 give him the opportunity he is more likely than not to 

 return to the old offence. 



Bolters, trap smashers, animals prone to savaging, 

 bucking, etc., are examples of the fiendish type of 

 horse which we have designated under the word 

 treacherous. There is only one course to take with 

 them, and this, though I regret to have to say it, is 

 to give a friendly buhet. 



In the breaking and training of a horse, the brakes- 

 man has to convey his commands by known signals 

 and the expression of certain " fixed " words. I say 

 *' known signals " and " fixed words " advisedly. 

 Only a person acquainted with this " horse language " 

 should be allowed to handle an animal. In the hands 

 of an incompetant person even a well broken horse 

 may, owing to a misuse or a misinterpretation of these 

 words and signals, be the cause of much trouble to 

 himself and others. The human voice, used in an 



