60 USING BLINDERS. 



start, over and over, until he does not mind it; now 

 quietly put down the umbrella and raise the top two-thirds, 

 and lower it, if you can, gently. Move slowly as you can, 

 or even come down to standing again ; he will be much 

 less afraid while standing, than when in motion ; so work 

 up to speed slowly, until the top can be kept up. You 

 should for a few times, before being hitched, let him see 

 and smell of the top, and hitch in very gently. 



I break all horses without blinders, forcing obedience as 

 I desire. I make success sure. But when a strong, wilful 

 or nervous horse is once greatly frightened at a top, it is 

 sometimes a serious matter. I take into consideration the 

 fact that many who attend my lectures are timid, and will 

 not try to do much with a bad horse of this nature ; so I 

 have thought.it advisable to give this slow patient course of 

 treatment. If I have a bad horse of this kind, I take him 

 out in the orchard or field, and subject him to first and 

 second courses of subjection rapidly. I put on harness and 

 under the bridle the double draw-hitch, and in ten or 

 fifteen minutes take the starch out of him ; then I drive 

 around, depending upon the bit, and at once put him into 

 shafts, and force him up until perfectly obedient : this 

 makes it simple. If you are timid and careful, take your 

 time, and work sure. A few hours' time is nothing, while 

 the safety of a good horse is a great object. I would say 

 here, if you do not make the horse positively safe, it is 

 better and cheaper for you to shoot him, than take the 

 chances of exposing yourself to accidents by driving him. 

 His place is before the plough or other farm-work that 

 does not endanger life. 



USING BLINDEKS. 



A lazy horse will drive better with blinders than with- 

 out. If the whip is raised he will spring ahead violently, 

 but when he sees it put down, will drop back again. Blind- 

 ers should be used on such. A horse with a large, coarse- 

 looking head will look better with blinders, as they conceal 

 the effects of such a head. A spirited, intelligent horse 

 will be more courageous and drives steadier without blind- 

 ers, when he can see things around him plainly. Blinders 

 are often badly fitted and liable to do harm to the eyes. 



