The Treatment of Foak. 71 



learnt that when he is enclosed within the arms of two men 

 he is quite helpless, but will not be hurt. With the aid of 

 another assistant, repeat this lesson now. When the foal 

 realises his absolute helplessness, and ceases to struggle for 

 freedom, let the assistant hold him with one arm round his 

 chest and the other round his buttocks. The head teacher, 

 working on the near side, as gently as possible fits on the 

 head collar, being ready, if the foal plunges and looks like 

 escaping from the assistant's embrace, to go to that 

 functionary's assistance, for the key to the success of the 

 whole performance is to imbue the foal with knowledge of 

 its complete powerlessness when in the hands of man. 

 Having got the head-collar properly fitted, slip a short web- 

 rein through the ring at the back of the jaw. Let the chief 

 operator retain this in the hand clasping the foal's chest, 

 and order the mare to be led slowly round the box. If the 

 foal wishes to follow, let him do so still encircled by the 

 head-teacher's hands. After a few turns round the box, let 

 him feel the restraining pressure of the short web rein. If 

 he objects, as he probably will, to this innovation and fights, 

 keep him a close prisoner in the clasped hands till the 

 paroxysm is over. Let him stand a minute to reason the 

 matter out, then start the mare forward again, and he will 

 most likely follow, and after a few protests will realise that 

 he can only go with his schoolmaster's permission. The 

 great thing is to let the pupil do everything on his own 

 initiative, if possible. If he is pulled this way and pushed 

 that he becomes stupid and obstinate, not comprehending 

 what really is required of him. To this end it is desirable, 

 if a foal refuses to follow the mare round the box, to refrain 

 from trying to haul him by the rein or push him forward 

 from the buttocks, which procedure will entail a long fight 

 and arouse any latent stubbornness in his nature. The 



