118 The Horse Fauuier. 



mere affectation or skittishness. For the first, every al- 

 lowance must be made, and care must be taken that the 

 fear of correction is not associated with the imagined ex- 

 istence of some terrifying object. The severe use of the 

 whip and the spur cannot do good here, and are likely to 

 aggravate the vice ten-fold. A word, half encouraging 

 and half scolding, with a slight pressure of the heel, or a 

 slight touch of the spur, will tell the horse that there was 

 nothing to fear, and will give hini confidence in his rider 

 on a future occasion. 



The shying from skittishness or affectation is quite a 

 different affair, and must be conquered : but how ? Se- 

 verity is altogether out of place. If he is forced into 

 contact with the object by dint of correction, the dread 

 of punishment will afterwards be associated with that ob- 

 ject, and, on the next occasion, his startings will be more 

 frequent and more dangerous. The way to cure him is 

 to go on, turning as little as possible out of the road, 

 giving a harsh word or two, and a gentle touch with the 

 spur, and then taking no more notice of the matter. Af- 

 ter a few times, whatever may have been the object 

 which he chose to select as the pretended cause of affright, 

 he will pass it almost without notice. 



In colts, from fear or playfulness, a considerable degree 

 of starting and shying may be exhibited. As little no- 

 tice as possible should be taken of it. The same or a 

 similar object should be soon passed again, but at a 

 greater distance. If the colt still shies, let the distance 

 be still farther increased until he takes no notice of the ob- 

 ject. Then he may be gradually brought nearer to it, 

 and this will be usually affected without the slightest dif- 

 ficulty : whereas, had there been an attempt to force him 



