The management and treatment of the horse in the stable, field, and ...

In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 19
horse makes the least motion when you advance towards
him stop and remain perfectly stilJ until he is quiet.
Remain in this condition a few minutes and then advance
again in the same slow and almost imperceptible manner,
and take notice if the horse stirs to stop without chang-
ing your position. It is very uncommon for a horse to
stir more than once, he generally keeps his eye steadfast
upon you until you are near enough to touch him on
his forehead. When you are thus near to him raise
slowly and by degrees your hand, and let it come in
contact with that part just above the nostrils as lightly
as possible. If the horse flinches (as many will) repeat
with great rapidity these light strokes upon his forehead,
going a little further up towards his ears by degrees and
descend with the same rapidity until he will let you
handle his forehead all over, when the strokes can be re-
peated with more force, descending by lighter strokes to
each side of his head, until you can handle that part with
equal facility. Then touch in the same light manner,
making your hands and fingers play around the lower
part of the horse's ears, coming down now and then to
his forehead, which may be looked upon as the helm that
governs all the rest. Having succeeded in handling his
ears advance towards his neck with the same precautions
and in the same manner, observing always to augment
the force of the stroke whenever the horse will permit it;
perform the same on both sides of the neck until he lets
you take it in your arms without flinching. Proceed in
the same progressive manner to the sides and then to the
back of the horse ;
every time the horse shows nervousness
return immediately to the forehead, as the true standard,