134 



FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. 



violent resistance, and the contrary of soon quieting down and be- 

 coming indifferent to it, by convincing the reason that it would not 

 cause injury. As the resistance of colts is almost wholly excited by 

 fear, I had necessarily to give a very full explanation of their man- 

 agement in reference to preventing and overcoming excessive fear, 

 which should be referred to ; but their management is so intimately 

 connected with this chapter that I will, at the expense of some rep- 

 etition, give further details. 



Suppose we wish to accustom a colt to the sight of a piece of 



paper or a white handker- 

 chief. It is first brought to 

 his nose so that he is able to 

 feel of it, and see it plainly, 

 then rubbed against the head 

 and neck until it ceases to 

 attract attention. If now the 

 operator were to step behind 

 or opposite the flanks, and 

 throw it suddenly behind or 

 under the belly, it would be 

 very likely to excite as much 

 fear and resistance as if he 

 had not before seen or felt it. 

 The difference of position 

 makes it appear a new object of danger to be avoided. Familiarized 

 with it at the head, it should be thrown down carelessly in front, 

 then a little farther back, occasionally rubbing it against the head 

 and nose, and so repeating until it can be thrown anywhere, around 

 or under the body ; this must also be done on both sides of the body 

 alike. 



A spirited horse that may have been driven for years to a 

 wagon, gentle, would be just as likely to kick and run away should 

 the breeching break and let the cross-piece or whiffletree come 

 against the quarters, as if he had previously known nothing about 

 them. And so in relation to other objects or causes of resistance. 

 This is particularly noticeable in breaking colts, as shown by the 

 fact that making one side or leg^gentle will not make other parts so ; 

 both sides must be treated alike. It is on account of these condi- 

 tions not being understood (the details of which are given in Colt 

 Training, Kicking, etc.). that so mary accidents occur from the use 

 of horses supposed to De gentle and safe They are gentle so far as 

 they have been broken or accustomed to certain objects or sounds ; 



Fig. 163. — Nervous, Excitable Nature. 



