THE HOUSEMAN. 101 



As a general rule, when the horse puts himself in an 

 attitude of determined resistance, the rider should not 

 contend with him ; but, on the contrary, try to conquer 

 by assisting him in all his movements until he is unwil- 

 ling to continue his opposition. For example : if he 

 backs, passages, or turns around, the rider should en- 

 courage him by all the aids necessary to compel the 

 movement ; and if he stands immovable, slacken the 

 reins and assume an air of indifference. If the rider can- 

 not effectually subdue him by those means, he never can 

 by harsh treatment. 



There are some exceptions to this rule, however, 

 where it becomes necessary for the rider to oppose the 

 horse. For instance : if the rider wishes to go in any 

 direction, and the horse turns from it, he should be as- 

 sisted in the turn until his head is brought around in the 

 original direction, then urged forward. Again, if the 

 horse passages to an object, the rider should turn his 

 head towards it and then back him. 



Shying consists in a horse's turning or starting sud- 

 denly around, forward, backward, or to either side. This 

 proceeds from timidity, a want of confidence in his rider, 

 or being unaccustomed to see or hear the object that 

 alarms him. * 



To dispel the fears of the horse, the rider should ca- 

 ress and gently urge him to the object, not chastise him, 

 for that would increase his fears, and at all subsequent 

 starts or shies, he would jump to avoid the punishment 

 as well as the imaginary object of fright. It will be re- 

 10* 



