THE DEFENSES OF THE HORSE 



time when the horse is set. Do not employ legs or 

 spurs, since the effect of these is to make some 

 horses lie down in a sort of frenzy. Avoid also any 

 caressing of the animal during the time when it is 

 rigid. If both rider and horse are in a safe situation, 

 and if the failing is only occasional and not a formed 

 habit, remain perfectly calm, and keep the animal, 

 or, more correctly, permit him to be, completely 

 free. Very soon he will become exhausted by the 

 tension, will relax, and move forward. The power- 

 ful spasm of the horse's nerves and muscles is much 

 like that of a man made temporarily insane by ex- 

 cess of alcohol. If, then, the horse is left to itself, 

 very soon it is sufficiently punished, and as soon as 

 its strength gives out, it will relax. 



When, however, a horse continues to repeat the 

 act of burying itself, it is better to consult a vet- 

 erinarian and have a careful examination of the 

 heart. The horse's heart is susceptible to disease, 

 trouble, failure; and the rider should know the 

 situation before he exposes himself to accident from 

 some abnormal condition. 



PREPARING FOR DEFENSE 



PREPARING for defense is the action which a horse 

 takes as a preliminary to entering upon the state of 

 non-submission, revolt, and refusal. 



This first act of rebellion is very easy to detect. 

 The animal escapes the contact of the bit. It keeps 

 its mouth closed, holds its neck rigid and usually 



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