68 
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
the spur, will tell the horse that there is nothing to fear, and will give 
him confidence in his rider on a future occasion. 
The shying from skittishness or affectation is quite a different affair, 
and must be conquered — but how? Severity is altogether out of 
place. If he is forced into contact with the object by dint of correc- 
tion, the dread of punishment will afterward be associated with that 
object, and on the next occasion his startings will be more frequent and 
more dangerous. The way to cure him is to go on, turning as little as 
possible out of the road, giving a harsh word or two and a gentle touch 
with the spur, and then taking no more notice of the matter. After a 
few times, whatever may have been the object which he chose to 
select as the pretended cause of affright, he will pass it almost with- 
out notice. 
Under the head Breaking-in we described how the colt may be 
cured of the habit of shying from fear or newness of objects ; and if he 
then is accustomed as much as possible to the objects among which his 
services will be required, he will not possess this annoying vice when he 
grows to maturer age. 
It is now generally admitted by all riding-masters and colt-breakers, 
that a great deal more is to be effected by lenient than by harsh treat- 
ment. Rewards are found to operate more beneficially than punish- 
ments, and therefore the most scientific and practiced riding-masters 
adopt methods based upon the former. 
Let us not be understood to mean that the animal is to receive any 
encouragement to shy ; for by no other expression can be characterized 
that erroneous and foolish practice of patting the horse or “making 
much of him,” either just before or during the time he evinces shyness. 
The former is bad, because it draws the attention of the animal to the 
object he dreads ; the latter is worse, because it fills him with the im- 
pression either that the object itself is really terrific, or that he has acted 
right in shying at it, and ought to do so again. 
Whether wc are approaching the frightful object or the horse is actu- 
ally shying, “ we should let him alone,” “ we should take no notice 
whatever of him,” neither letting him perceive that we are aware that 
we are advancing toward any tiling he dislikes, nor do more with him 
while in the act of shying than is necessary for due restraint with a 
steady hand upon the rein. We may depend upon it, that battling on 
our part will only serve to augment affright and arouse resistance on his, 
and that the most judicious course we can pursue is to persevere in mild 
forbearant usage. 
Shying on coming out of the stable is a habit that can rarely or 
never be cured. It proceeds from the remembrance of some ill-usage 
or hurt which the animal has received in the act of proceeding from the 
stable, such as striking his head against a low doorway or entangling 
the harness. 
When the cure, however, is early attempted, it may be so far over- 
come that it will be unattended with danger or difficulty. The horse 
should be bridled when led out or in. lie should be held short and 
tight by the head, that he may feel he has not liberty to make a leap, 
and this of itself is often sufficient to restrain him. Punishment, or a 
