48 IN THE STABLE AND AT WORK. 



*' springs" the knees, and then the animal cannot stand 

 erect on its fore feet or hold back down hill. There is 

 always more danger in going fast down hill if anything gives 

 away. A horse should always be taught to go carefully 

 down hill, and not pellmell. 



Make haste slowly for the first mile or two when starting 

 out for a drive. Try it, and see how much easier and more 

 satisfactorily your horse will accomplish whatever is re- 

 quired of him. 



Do the horses seem to sweat easily at their work in the 

 spring ? They are not hard yet. Be easy with them for a 

 few days. As Pat says: "Be aisy; and if ye can't be 

 aisy, be as aisy as ye can." 



Don't let the colts and young horses get discouraged with 

 heavy loads. Better go a few more times, or hire in a day's 

 work, than to spoil a promising team. 



When your horse is heated from riding or driving do not 

 let him stand in a draught, and, if very warm, rub him briskly 

 all over with a coarse towel or wisp of straw and cover him 

 with a light blanket, which will absorb the perspiration and 

 prevent a chilling of the surface. 



Never whip a horse when he is frightened. Be cool your- 

 self and he will soon gain confidence. 



The nippy air of winter makes the horses frisky. After 

 the confinement of the stable they want to go. If a rein 

 should break their going might be serious. Perhaps the 

 sewing of some of the splices has begun to give way. Bet- 

 ter see about it. 



Bring the horse up to the hitching post with his head from 

 the wind. He will not get so cold as if his head is toward 

 the wind, and he will stand better. The horse will stand 

 more quietly while you are hitching him if his head is from 

 the wind. 



