A SHYING HORSE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1728, 30 December 1887, Page 2

A SHYING HORSE.

To the enquiry. " Why does a horse shy V the " National Live, Stock Journal " replies : Becauso he sees something he does not understand, and is filled with a greater or less degree of fear, something as the boy feels when he shie3 dt the burying ground, and goe3 round to keep clear of it. J$ may bo equip new or some unusual object that the horso sees, or it may be an imperfect view of it Even a fami'iar object, if it oomea to view suddenly and unexpectedly, will cause a horsa to shy or jump just as an unexpected object or sound causes a nervous person to start. Whon a person is so startled, how much would it improve the matter to be scolded at or given a cut with a whip ? Just as much us tho samo treatment would m the cnso of a horso. Harshness only aggravates tho matter. The more the horse is soolded and whipped, the more nervous he gets ; and every time he passea the plaoe where th 6 fright and whipping occurred, ho will recollect the unpleasant affair, and ho will begin to prick up his ears and fidget, ready for another jump, Give him the lines and he wil go by m a hurry. The proper way is never to etrlko or Boold a horse that is startled or frightened. Speak to him coolly, calmly, and kindly ; give him time to eea and collect his scattered Benses, and make him feel that you are his friend and protector. When he sees that all la right, there ia an end to all further trouble. Wo have Been a horse refuse to cross an unsafe looking bridge ; but when the driver took him by tbe bits he cautiously followed. Next time he required no coaxing or urging to oroaa the bridge. He might have been whipped into it at first, but was not the milder course, although a little trouble, the better one ? The horse showed his confidence m the driver ever Afterwards.

Mr Valentine, M.H.R., oalled attention m the House to tho extortionate rate charged m this colony for obtaining probate of & will. It seems that tho total cost of obtaining probato of a will m England where 'tho amount involved does not exceed £300 is only £2 6s, whoreas m this oountry it generally, including lawyers! okpeopee, amounts to AM £39