30 A COUNTRY READER. 



horses. In nine cases out of ten the manners 

 of a horse depend on the way he was treated 

 when young. 



To obtain good manners in a horse, which 

 means that he does not shy, kick, bite, run 

 away or jib, but moves along easily and 

 brightly, answering to every movement of the 

 rein and whip, and command of the voice, he 

 must from the time he is born be treated kindly, 

 but firmly, and never frightened. 



Remember that a horse is naturally a very 

 timid and sensitive creature, and therefore, when 

 you break him into work, try to create in him 

 confidence, but at the same time make him feel 

 that he has to do what he is told. 



The foal before it has left its mother ought to 

 be handled, petted, spoken to, and got accus- 

 tomed to the saddle, bridle, and harness. 



If you wish the young horse to become a 

 first-class and clever jumper, make some jumps 

 in the field, which he will be obliged to jump 

 before he gets his water and feed of corn. 



It is a great mistake to work your horse much 

 when he is young. He ought only to do very 

 light work between the ages of four and five 

 years. By the time he is five, he has probably 

 stopped growing ; his bones are set and hard, and 

 his muscles strong and flexible. The year spared 

 to him between the ages of four and five will 



