40 ART OF HANDLING AND TAMING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
render the wildest tame, but blows and privations only serve to 
irritate, and render them in the end furious and unmanageable. 
The horse is caught with most difficulty when wild and at 
liberty, for then there are no means of acting on him, and becom- 
ing master of his efforts. If his wildness is attributable to gaiety 
alone, and the consequence of long repose and good health, it is 
sufficient to give free course to his joyous humour for a little 
while ; then present him with some bread, or with a handful of 
forage, and he will often stop of himself, and suffer us to seize 
him. He must not always be approached too soon, or attempt 
to put the halter or bridle immediately on, for fear of a renewal of 
his gaiety and wildness. If considerable prudence and precaution 
are not used, he may wound those who try to catch him, or who 
come too near, actuated by dangerous curiosity. In these cases 
they should keep at some distance behind, and if they see him 
attempting to escape before he is mastered by a bridle, a halter, 
or any other means of taming him, they should disperse in time, 
and avoid a contest that may be dangerous. If, on the contrary, it 
is possible to hold him, disperse the crowd, coax him, and seizing 
him with one hand by the hair of the forelock, put on a bridle or 
muzzle, and occupy him with a bit of bread, or a few oats, until he 
is firmly attached to some resisting body, and brought into the 
stable. 
A vicious or passionate horse is much more dangerous than a 
frightened one, and should not be approached without extreme 
prudence, and taking care to secure a retreat or energetic means 
of resistance. One man is rarely sufficient to stop or tame him. 
In order to master him, his eyes must be covered with a band- 
age ; a muzzle, with two straps cleverly contrived, and a strong 
halter, may also be necessary, while two courageous and skilful 
men hold the straps extended and firm. Each conductor should 
place himself at the height of the shoulder, and hold tightly the 
strap on his side, if the horse attempts to lean towards the oppo- 
site one. In other cases they fix a fiery or mischievous animal to 
a solid ring, or harness him to a large carriage, of such weight 
that he cannot move it. When he has uselessly wasted all his 
strength, they unharness him by means of a muzzle and a good 
cord, and then make him trot at a thorough round pace until he 
is absolutely fatigued, and all his strength is exhausted. 
Some horses, who have learned to know their strength by being 
confided to timid and inexperienced persons, require to be treated 
with sternness, in order to inspire them with fear, and bring them 
to obedience. One or two determined lessons will render them 
docile, and cause them to abandon their tricks. I knew a clever 
stable-keeper, who bought the horses that passed for untameable 
