170 THE HORSE. 
school, or other similar surface, at command, a good solid bed of manure 
(which is always to be had wherever horses are) should be spread a foot 
thick at least, and over this clean straw may be laid. To return to the 
subject of the operation, whom we left with the alternative of bounding 
in the air on his hind legs, or falling on his knees in the annexed attitude, 
the chief art in managing this part of the process is to keep firm hold of 
the strap attached to the off leg close to the surcingle ; the hand being 
protected by the glove, can easily prevent it from slipping through during 
the struggles of the horse, and at the same time serves as.a point @apput 
for the operator, so that he can follow the movements of the bounding 
animal in whatever direction he may progress. The operator must on no 
account attempt to stand away from his patient, nor must he advance 
before the girth-place ; but keeping close to this, he is in no danger, pro- 
THE HORSE ON HIS KNEES, ABOUT TO FALL ON HIS SIDE. 
vided he has the sense and the ability to give way if the horse shculd 
throw himself down towards his side. The rein, being still held in 
the left hand, prevents the horse falling away from the operator, and is 
also used by him as a means of guiding the animal, if he happens to pro- 
gress In a direction which is not desired. Nothing else is to be attempted 
till the horse has quite exhausted all his energies, which those possessed 
of high courage will soon do; but low-bred animals are very apt to turn 
sulky, and, refusing to plunge, remain on their knees, in spite of every 
kind of stimulus which can be given them short of severe punishment 
with the whip, which is to be avoided, as opposed to the principles on 
which the whole process is founded. By taking time with these brutes, 
they may always be made to tire themselves, for the kneeling position is 
very irksome to them, and the most stubborn will give a plunge now and 
