58 The Horse Farrier. 



but you see from this explanation that they were of 

 no use whatever. The implicit faith placed in these 

 ingredients, though innocent of themselves, becomes 

 " faith without works." And thus men remained al- 

 ways in doubt concerning the secret. If the horse 

 makes the least motion when you advance towards 

 him, stop, and remain perfectly still until he is quiet. 

 Remain a few moments in this condition, and then ad- 

 vance again hi the same slow and almost imperceptible 

 manner. Take notice ; if the horse stirs, stop, without 

 changing your position. It is very uncommon for the 

 horse to stir more than once after you begin to advance, 

 yet there are exceptions. He generally keej)s his eyes 

 steadfast on you, until you get near enough to touch 

 him on the forehead. When you are thus near to him, 

 raise, slowly, and by degrees, your hand, and let it 

 come in contact with that part just above the nostrils 

 as lightly as possible. If the horse flinches, (as many 

 will,) repeat with great rapidity these light strokes 

 upon the forehead, going a little further up towards 

 his ears by degrees, and descending with the same ra- 

 pidity until he will let you handle his forehead all over. 

 Now let the strokes be repeated with more force over 

 all his forehead, until you can handle that part with 

 equal facility. Then touch in the same light manner, 

 making your hands and fingers play around the lower 

 part of the horse's ears, coming down now and then 

 to his forehead, which may be looked upon as the 

 helm that governs all the rest. 



"Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance 

 towards the neck, with the same precautions, and in 

 the same manner ; observing always to augment the 



