198 avery's own farrier. 



" But if pampered with corn before being trained, he 

 will become stubborn, and though held, he will some- 

 times rebel against the lash and the curb." 



When the horse is in the habit of shying or sheering 

 at anything on the road, do not whip him for it. It is 

 sure to make him worse. For whenever he sees the 

 same object again, it reminds him of the chastisement 

 he received before; but let him know that you are his 

 friend, by using kind and soothing words and gentle usage. 

 Although you may speak in an authoritative tone some- 

 times, if necessary, stop him and let him approach the 

 object of his fright, slowly and cautiously, and you will 

 soon break him of this bad habit. The eye falsifies ob- 

 jects, which are the cause of the animal's shying and 

 fright; therefore he wants time to satisfy himself that 

 there is nothing to hurt him, either by seeing or smelling. 



When you are driving a horse before a carriage, and 

 he gets frightened, and starts to run, if you allow your- 

 self to become frightened and excited at the event, or 

 show any sign of fear (which it is very difficult to avoid, 

 I will admit) by hallowing, or in any way so that the 

 horse discovers a cause, he catches also at the dilemma, 

 and, with renewed rage, it increases his speed and your 

 danger. When you can possibly avoid this, and speak 

 in a calm and gentle tone to him, together with the help 

 of the reins, you will soon calm his fear and all will be 

 well. As illustrative of the above facts, I will relate a 

 circumstance that took place not long since in my own 

 town, and with reliable friends: A gentleman and wife 

 were returning from a ride in a carriage, and when about 

 a mile from their village home, while descending a steep 



