THE HORSE. 41 



against the shoe of the fore-foot. If the animal is young, the 

 action of the horse may be materially improved ; otherwise 

 nothing can be done, except to keep the toe of the hind-foot as 

 short and as round as it can safely be, and to bevel off and round 

 the toe of the shoe, like that which has been worn off by a 

 stumbling horse, and, perhaps, to lower the heel of the fore-foot 

 a little. 



8. Rolling. Some horses have the habit of rolling in the 

 stable, by which they are liable to get cast, bruised, and half 

 strangled. The only remedy is to tie such a horse with just 

 length of halter enough to lie down, but not allow of his resting 

 his head on the ground. This is an unpleasant means of cure, 

 and not always a safe one. 



9. Shying. This vice is often the result of cowardice, or 

 playfulness, or want of work, but at other times it is the con- 

 sequence of a defect of sight ; and in its treatment it is of great 

 importance to distinguish between these different causes. For 

 the last, every allowance must be made, and care must be t#ken 

 that the fear of correction is not associated with the imagined 

 existence of some terrifying object. The severe use of the whip 

 and the spur can not do good here, and are likely to aggravate 

 the vice ten-fold. A word half encouraging and half scolding 

 will tell the horse that there was nothing to fear, and will give 

 him confidence in his rider on a future occasion. 



The shying from skittishness or affectation is quite a different 

 affair, and must be conquered : but how ? Severity is altogether 

 out of place. If he is forced into contact with the object by 

 dint of correction, the dread of punishment will afterward be 

 associated with that object, and on the next occasion his start- 

 ings will be more frequent and more dangerous. The way to 

 cure him is to go on, turning as little as possible out of the road, 

 giving a harsh word or two and a gentle touch, and then taking 

 no more notice of the matter. After a few times, whatever 

 may have been the object which he chose to select as the pre- 

 tended cause of affright, he will pass it almost without notice. 



10. Slipping the Halter. Many horses are so clever at this 



