36 PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT. 



exposed to some exceptional strain,' up to which they have not been 

 tested, to become frightened and resist control, thereby resulting in 

 constantly recurring cases of accident, as well as endangering the 

 spoiling of the horse ; which would all have been prevented by the 

 application and proper carrying out of necessary treatment in the 

 first place. 



Second : We see that when an object of fear or, unusual sound 

 is brought suddenly or unexpectedly to the horse's notice, or in con- 

 tact With any part of his body, it is liable to excite the most intense 

 fear and resistance ; whereas, if brought slowly and gen,tly to his no- 

 tice, letting him smell or feel of it until convinced of its harmless- 

 ness, it can be brought over and around him without causing the 

 least fear or attracting his attention. It makes no difference whether 



Fig) 25., — Vicious. Fig. 26. — Treacherous. 



it is in driving to a carriage, letting the cross-piece come against the 

 quarters, raising an umbrella behind him, the noise of a steam-engine, 

 or anything else, the principle is the same. 



Third : In ■ relation to making him understand the meaning of 

 special sounds or words of command. If a man were simply to re- 

 peat the word "Whoa" to a horse, he might do it indefinitely with- 

 out his being able to understand its meaning and object. But if the 

 horse were moved moderately, and immediately after the command 

 he were pulled upon hard enough to make him stop, he would in a 

 short time, when the word is repeated, learn to stop to avoid being 

 hurt. Or, iin teaching him to back, if after the word is spoken the 

 reins be pulled upon sufficiently to force him back, he will, after a 

 few repetitions, learn,' when the command is given, to go back freely, 

 to evade the restraint and pain. 



The better to illustrate this I will include here the details of 

 teaching a few tricks. 



