when mounted, will put his head back to place it in your
hand.

Stand on the outside of a door which opens towards you. Show the horse
carrots through the opening: he will push the door open to get the
carrot. By always repeating the word "door," he will soon open or shut a
door at command, or a gate, even when mounted.

These may be "foolish things to all the wise," but nothing is useless
which familiarises the horse, which increases the confidence and
intimacy between him and his rider, or which teaches him to look to man
for the indications of his will, and to obey them, whether from fear,
interest, or attachment.

CHAPTER XI.

THE HORSE AND HIS STABLE.

Condition depends on food, work, and warmth.--So does the difference
between the _breeds_ of horses.--The terseness of the Arab is the
result of hard food.--So is that of our thorough-bred
horse.--Different _breeds_ result from different natural
conditions.--Crossing is only necessary where natural conditions are
against you.--We do not attend enough to warmth.--We should get fine
winter coats by warmth instead of singeing.--No fear of cold from
fine coats.--The foot should be stopped with clay.--The sore
ridge.--Stable breastplate.--The head-stall.--Never physic, bleed,
blister, or fire.--Food for condition.--Rest for strains.--Nature for
wounds.--Miles for shoeing.--The horse should have water always by
him.--And should stand loose.--No galloping on hard ground, either by
master or man.--He who cripples the horse kills him.

[Sidenote: Condition depends on food, work, warmth.]

For perfect health and condition three things are necessary, good food,
work, warmth. For appearance a fourth may be added, cleaning. To suppose
cleaning necessary for health is nonsense. Do you clean your sheep?--the
stags in your park?--or the horses young and old in the breeding stud?
But, speaking liberally, a horse which is not worked cannot be clean and
a horse which is worked and clothed cannot be dirty. A horse cannot be
clothed too heavily summer or winter short of perspiring.

[Sidenote: So does the difference between breeds of horses.]

But it is not only that the present passing condition of the horse
depends solely on food, work, and warmth, but the permanent structure
and stature of the horse depend on them; that is, the difference between
what are called different _breeds_ of horses depends solely on these
three things.