476 AllT OF APPROACHING, SEIZING, AND TAMING 
interesting both as regards the preservation of the animal, and the 
safety of the man under whose care it is placed. I shall, therefore, 
treat of it in this twofold relation, and trust that the public and 
the veterinary world will alike appreciate its importance. The 
scientific man ought, both on account of his personal safety and 
his reputation, to be possessed of a certain degree of dexterity in 
these matters, as the public are apt to attribute any accident that 
may occur to his want of skill. Every horse or cattle proprietor 
must be aware of the tedious and expensive legal proceedings 
that frequently result from an accident, the owner of an animal 
that has run away being, in the eye of the law, responsible for 
any injury it may inflict. 
We will commence with the horse, that animal being the pri- 
mary object in the studies of a veterinarian. That which we have 
to say of him will naturally apply both to the ass and mule : cattle 
and sheep will be treated of in a separate article. 
In order to classify our precepts as much as possible, it is our 
intention to consider the horse under the various situations in which 
he is found ; viz. in the stable, at the post, saddled, harnessed, or 
naked and at liberty. 
In whatever situation a horse may placed, it is necessary, pre- 
vious to approaching him, to form a rapid study of his character, 
and to judge whether he is timid and tractable, or furious and vici- 
ous. His physiognomy, and the manner in which he either retreats 
or pauses before a person, will always afford sufficient indications of 
his disposition. The animal is gentle and docile when his eyes, 
motions, and position, speak tranquility or confidence. We may 
then approach him without fear towards his shoulders and head : 
but if the eyes are wild and threatening — if he glances rapidly 
around him — if the ears incline towards the nape of the neck, and, 
instead of his head he presents his croup, or extends his neck and 
opens his mouth in a threatening manner, then we must be careful 
not only how we approach but how we quit him. It will occa- 
sionally happen that a docile but lively horse wounds those who 
approach him carelessly. 
When the horse is in the stable, before going up to him he 
should be spoken to. If he obeys, moves aside, looks gentle and 
quiet, or stands still, go up to him, caressing him and approaching 
towards the near shoulder; seize the halter with one hand, and with 
the other put on a bridle or reins, and lead him out either to be 
saddled or harnessed, or for whatever purpose he may be required. 
These observations relate chiefly to the groom or horse-dealer. 
Where the persons habitually employed about the animal shew 
confidence, the veterinary surgeon or the person examining him 
seldom needs to be afraid ; but if the groom approaches the animal 
