Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1874 — How to Handle Frightened Horses. [ARTICLE]

How to Handle Frightened Horses.

There are some good suggestions as to the management of frightened horses in the following, from the Ohio Farmer , especially about curing them by degrees of all fear of any object, and being calm and quiet yourself; but we should question the policy of giving loose rein when they shy at objects: Almost invariably the damage doae by frightened horses is directly traceable to injudicious management. In the first place, the idea of forcing a horse to “ get used ” to something he is frightened at is wrong. If a horse is afraid of the cars or any other object, the only way to cure him of it is by degrees. Drive or hitch him at a safe distance from them, where die can see them, and then pay as little attention to him as possible. Don’t make anything of the matter yourself, and he will gain confidence very rapidly. When your horse is frightened never display any fear or nervousness yourself, and make the matter appear as light as possible. If you make a great demonstration about holding him, it is certain to magnify the cause in the mind of the horse. Never let your horse see you are afraid of him, nor try to cure his fear by force or rough treatment, for either course will be certain to increase his fear. Be firm, calm and kind, and you will be astonished at your own success. Many horses are disagreeable drivers from the habit of shying at objects on the roadside or in passing another vehicle; this is in most cases a mere habit, and can be quickly cured, simply by making the horse ashamed of his own fear. When a horse shies, if the circumstances will possibly admit of it, do not pay the least attention to it, do not pull him severely on the rein, and never hit him with the whip when past the object, but let the lines remain loose and let him shy as far as he-pleases without any apparent-atten-tion. No other course that we have tried will so quickly and effectually cure a horse of this disagreeable and sometimes dangerous habit. In case of. a runaway, dangerous results can often be averted by quiet calmness, and seeking to restore your control by degrees, instead of by some sudden exertion. Never halloo, or by any means let the horse know you are afraid, although there may be ample cause for it. The horse deserves credit for more knowledge, affection and memory than is generally given to him. Don’t Tamper with a Cough.— Perhaps in the whole category of diseases to which humanity is susceptible, the cougli is most neglected in its early stage. A simple cough is generally regarded as a temporary afflict ion—unpleasant and nothing more, but to those who have paid dearly for experience, it is the signal for attack for the most fearful of all diseases—Consumption. A cough will lead to consumption—if dot checked—so sure as the rivulet leads to the river, yet it is an easy enemy to thwart,'if met by the proper remedy. Allen's Lung Balsam, is the great cough remedy of the age, and it has earned its reputation by merit alone, gold bv all pood druggists.