60 TREATMENT OF FEAR. 



"Wild Pete." He would scringe and jump at the least 

 touch or appearance of anything strange; he would not 

 stand to be cleaned, could not be harnessed, and to attempt 

 putting him in shafts would excite the utmost desperation, 

 jumping and kicking clear of restraint at all hazards. He 

 was one of the most desperate acting horses of the kind I 

 ever saw. Indeed, anything touching him behind, even a 

 touch of a whip, would make him jump and kick regardless 

 of consequences. Yet, after subjecting him to two ener- 

 getic lessons of less than an hour each, I could drive him 

 to my buggy with perfect safety, and he could not be made 

 to kick or resist control. So perfectly docile did he 

 become, that he was let for driving in the livery, and has 

 proved a very superior and safe carriage horse. As a rule, 

 however, constitutionally timid horses yield slowly, and 

 require careful as well as thorough treatment. I could refer 

 to many interesting illustrations of this character did space 

 permit. 



The rule should be, not to excite the mind excessively 

 from any -cause, and to gradually, as the animal will bear, 

 bring the object to notice, at the same time associating with 

 such causes of fear the greatest kindness by giving presents 

 of anything of which fond. 



If there is much resistance or danger, physical control is 

 to be made undoubtedly by the course of subjection, hold- 

 ing your point until perfectly successful, repeating the 

 treatment until all resistance ceases. The better to give a 

 practical understanding of details, I will include in this 

 connection the treatment in accustoming to a few of the 

 most common objects of fear, which will enable an under- 

 standing of the treatment necessary for anything else. 



A KOBE. 



While held under careful restraint, let the robe be brought 

 up gently to the colt's nose. After smelling and feeling of 

 it in his own way until satisfied, rub it gently against the 

 head, neck and body, the way the hair lies, as he will bear. 

 Then stand off a little and throw it across the back, over 

 the neck and head, gradually stepping farther, until you can 

 throw the robe upon him as you please. Repeat the lesson 

 several times. 



