Horses and Horsemastership, Sg 



both in the stable and at work. The voice has a 

 wonderful effect. Never approach the horse without 

 speaking soothingly to him. Fondle him. Always have 

 a bonne bouch of some sort to give him. Take a turn 

 at grooming him yourself (one of the finest exercises), 

 and saddle and bridle him. If this treatment is con- 

 tinued unintermittently for a month or two the animal 

 will be a wrong one indeed if he fails to turn over a 

 new leaf and become, if not entirely a paragon, at least 

 fairly reliable. 



Some horses who would not lift a foot to a man have 

 a nasty habit of lashing out when in the company of 

 others. All cavalrymen and men who hunt know^ too 

 well w^hat a source of danger such an animal is. A 

 horse who kicks in the ranks not infrequently is quite 

 docile when he is not so crowded, but a horse who never 

 loses a favourable opportunity of '' rapping" at another 

 is only fit for single harness. A considerate man would 

 never ride him in company. 



Then there are horses who indulge in kicking^ their 

 "Stalls to bits — a frequent source of capped hocks. Mares 

 are the principal sinners in this respect, but if an animal 

 who has not been in the habit of it suddenty starts the 

 trick it is as well to see if he may not be suffering from 

 ■some foot or skin trouble, or even worms or other 

 intestinal complaint. Lack of proper exercise is also a 



