28 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



well-fitting shoes on, instead of hurrying and driving a 

 nail in which might cause lameness. 



Another absurd idea that exists all over the world 

 is that, when the horse is approached by the owner or 

 groom, they think it necessary always to use the word 

 " whoa," even when the horse is standing quite still. 

 If they go to harness the horse they say " Whoa ! " or 

 if they go to take the harness off — " Whoa ! " Whatever 

 the horse does they will say " Whoa ! " It is a bad habit 

 on their part ; the word " whoa " should only be used 

 when the horse is trotting and is required to stop, for 

 *' whoa " means stop and nothing more. Other words 

 should be used when harnessing or grooming a horse. 



The eye should always be trained ; both sides of the 

 horse should be trained. Horses are usually approached 

 on the left or near side, and when approached on the 

 off side are nervous and peculiar, the fact being that 

 they are only used to being approached on the left side. 

 Their left eye is trained, but not their right eye. The 

 same thing is true of the cow that is used to being milked 

 on the off side ; if she is approached on the near side, 

 and an attempt made to milk her, she will probably kick 

 the milk-pail over. 



Some people — some quite clever men, too — will 

 insist that the horse's eye magnifies. If this were so, a 



