LIFTING UP A FORE-LEG. 309 



of which should be kept as small as practicable, so that 

 ambiguity may be avoided ; and we should avoid wearying 

 the attention of the animal by needlessly speaking to him. 

 In fact, we should reserve the use of our voice for occasions 

 on which it is needed to produce a definite effect. A groom 

 who, while he is with an animal, keeps continually speaking 

 to him in a monotonous tone of voice, shows by doing so, 

 that he knows very little about horses. 



Experience tells us that to preserve the invaluable quality 

 of good temper in a horse, it is necessary that those who 

 handle, ride or drive him, should possess his confidence, which 

 they cannot do, unless he understands their orders and knows 

 that they will treat him justly. Hence, there should be no 

 teasing a horse, or " venting one's spite " on him. If an 

 animal is difficult to handle, especially about the ears, we 

 may be quite certain that he is or has been in brutal or 

 incapable hands. Difficulty in bridling is another tell-tale 

 fault. 



I have found that when going up to an uncertain horse 

 which is held or tied up in the open, it is safest to 

 approach him in the direction of the fore leg of the side upon 

 which we are placed, and a little in front of a line drawn at 

 right angles to the axis of his body, say, at an angle of 

 about 70 to the direction in which he is standing. Ap- 

 proaching him from his front, or from behind, is apt either to 

 alarm him or to provoke his resentment. 'Having reached his 

 shoulder, near or off as the case may be, we may place a 

 hand or cane on his crest, and scratch his mane, which is a 

 piece of attention he will generally appreciate. When ap- 

 proaching an uncertain horse in the stable, it is well to 

 make him " move over " (turn his hind quarters away from 

 one). 



In lifting up a fore foot, I make a half turn to the rear, 

 run my hand (the left when on the near side, and the right 



