388 SUBJECTION. 



the horse, on coining under such influences, though pre- 

 viously nervous and difficult to manage, soon becomes do- 

 cile and gentle; while an irritable, passionate or impulsive 

 man will often speedily impart the same characteristics t<* 

 the animal he undertakes to manage. 



To explain the principles governing these conditions, 

 we will presume to make a few simple experiments. First : 

 suppose a horse resists being shod ; if the foot were taken 

 up very gently, lifted higher, and gradually using more 

 force as there is sufficient power acquired to hold and re- 

 strain it, until submitted to be pounded upon without ex- 

 citing resistance, the success in the management of th^ 



FIG. 271. Effect of goodinflu- FIG. 272. Effect of bad influ- 



ences and training. ences and training. 



case would be easy and simple. But if there is not suffi- 

 cient tact and delicacy in taking up the foot, or the resist- 

 ance becomes so great that it is pulled away, the treat- 

 ment, no matter how successful up to this point, would not 

 only be a failure, but to some extent make the horse 

 worse by teaching him his power of resistance. It would 

 be necessary in such a case to use such simple or direct 

 means of control as will enable holding and restraining the 

 foot most easily ; but in the event of the resistance becom- 

 ing so great that the foot cannot be held or controlled, 

 then the restraint should be made of such a character as to 

 first enforce general submission, when, if necessary, the 

 treatment can be again carried directly to the foot, when 



