CHAPTER V 



SHYING 



SHYING is a very common as well as an 

 extremely objectionable vice, completely 

 spoiling many otherwise valuable horses — 

 for there is neither pleasure nor safety in driving 

 a bad shyer. It is first caused by genuine fear. 

 In the majority of instances — in fact, always, ex- 

 cept in the case of nervous or hysterical shyers — 

 had the horse, from the first, been gradually ac- 

 customed to the objects he fears and shown that 

 they would not hurt him, he would never have be- 

 come a shyer. 



The average colt, when being broken to har- 

 ness, is constantly meeting some object that — in 

 greater or less degree, according to his nature — 

 excites his fear. Perhaps it is only a stump or 

 a rock or a log by the roadside half concealed 

 by the grass. A good horseman, in such a case, 

 will be very patient, allowing the colt to stand 

 still for a moment and look at the object of his 

 fear, then moving him gradually a little nearer 

 and convincing him that his fear is unfounded. 



67 



