120 TUTELAGE. 



in rather a different manner from that used by the 

 colt-breaker or groom. Now we will suppose a 

 trainer had a colt which was easily alarmed by 

 passing objects, other horses galloping near him, or 

 persons coming up to him, how would he be treated ? 

 He would be sent away by himself, where it was 

 certain no objects would approach close enough to 

 alarm him : here he would be exercised, whether for 

 three days or three weeks, till he had gained com- 

 posure and confidence : he would then be brought a 

 little nearer the subjects of his alarm, where they 

 might attract his observation, but could in no ways 

 annoy or frighten him. Day by day he would be 

 brought still nearer to them, till they became so 

 familiar to him that he would cease to notice them at 

 all, or merely as indifferent objects. Assuredly this is 

 rather a more reasonable mode of treatment than the 

 one generally resorted to, and, what is more, it never 

 fails the fault or infirmity is got over and for ever. 



There is one description of horse with which I 

 might be tempted perhaps to oblige a common colt- 

 breaker ; namely, some brute which appeared so 

 incorrigibly sulky and vicious that I might not wish 

 men who were valuable for better purposes to undergo 

 the trouble and risk of having any thing to do with 

 him ; not but that I should be quite aware that a man 

 with a better head would be more likely to succeed ; 

 but, for the reasons I state, I would perhaps give the 

 savage to one of these kill-or-cure gentry, and let the 

 two brutes fight it out. 



As I said before, all men about horses require head, 

 but few more so than a trainer : not that there is any 

 mystery in training; proper feeding, properly watering, 



