ENTERING A STABLE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 541, 12 February 1913, Page 2

ENTERING A STABLE.

A FEW TIPS. How many men know how ,to sntei a horse's stable properly ? The following hints may be useful to some men who have newly entered in'.o nosession of an equiae companion asd who—like most of us—arc not too well acquainted with the vagaries ol the horsey temperament. Never—especially after dark —entei a horse's stable or loose-box without saying a few cheery and assuring words. Then your horse w r ill know you, for, unlike a dog, he recognises his acquaintances better by theii voice than by their tread. Thus you will obviate any possibility of bis lashing out. Always go up to his head first, 1 possible, and give him a pat on the neck. Horses hate to be approached from behind. The reason why stablemen chew straws is that they must not smoke in stables for fear of tire. On leaving a stable, too, you have often to be very careful, for some horses—and especially mares —are apt, on seeing you about to leave, tc turn their heads quickly and bite you. Some, indeed, are so bad in this waj that their owners and attendants have to walk out backwards, like s trainer out of a lion's den. And even if the horse is not res tive, it is always advisable, on leaving, to pass your hand caressingh from his head, aloag his back, righ/ up to his tail.