Slipping the IIaltek. 119 



close to it in the first instance, the remembrance of the 

 contest would have been associated with every appear- 

 ance of the object, and the habit of shying would have 

 been established. If this method is adopted, he will not 

 possess the annoying will, when he grows to mature age. 

 Nothing is gained by harsh treatment, nor is the foolish 

 practice of patting the horse, and making much of him, 

 advisable, either just before or during the time he evinces 

 shyness. The former is bad, because it draws the atten- 

 tion of the animal to the object he dreads ; the latter is 

 worse, because it fills him with the impression either that 

 the object itself is really terrific, or that he has acted 

 right in shying at it, and ought to do so again. 



Whether we are approaching the frightful object, or 

 the horse is actually shying, " we should let him alone" 

 — " we should take no notice whatever of him" — neither 

 letting him perceive that we are aware that we are ad- 

 vancing towards anything he dislikes : nor do more with 

 him, while in the act of shying, than is necessary for due 

 restraint with a steady hand upon the rein. A horse 

 that is in the habit of shying in coming out of the stable, 

 should be bridled when led out or in, and held short and 

 tight by the hand. — Youatt. 



SLIPPING THE HALTER. 



This is a trick at which many horses are so clever, that 

 scarcely a night passes without their getting loose. It 

 is a very serious habit, for it enables the horse some- 

 times to gorge himself with food, to the imminent dan- 

 ger of staggers ; or it exposes him, as he wanders about, 

 to be kicked and injured by the other horses, while his 

 restlesness will often keep the whole team awake. If 



