28 A COUNTRY READER. 



give it him, speaking to him at the same time. 

 Associate everything you do with some word or 

 tone of voice, and in a short time your horse 

 will understand what you mean. Your horse 

 will then regard you as a friend, and the kinder 

 and more considerate and feeling you are, the 

 more work he will do for you, and the greater 

 the pleasure you will have in working him. 



Many horses shy a good deal at objects they 

 meet on the road. This mostly arises from 

 nervousness, because the objects are not familiar 

 to them. Therefore, to cure the habit, you must 

 get your horse accustomed to what he sees, and 

 so give him confidence. 



If your horse pricks his ears, and shies at 

 something he sees on the road, take him up to 

 the object he has shied at ; at the same time 

 speak firmly but soothingly to him; this will 

 soon give him confidence. 



Of course some horses will shy, and jump about, 

 all over the road, out of pure high spirits and 

 from want of work. The only thing then is to sit 

 tight, using your voice and judgment, till the 

 high spirits have expended themselves. 



Be careful never to stop a horse that is draw- 

 ing a vehicle or load in the middle of a hill, except 

 for a rest; and if for a rest, draw him across the 

 hill and place a big stone behind the wheel, so 

 that the strain on the shoulder may be eased. 



