IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 43 



ungallantly. " You may coax me as much as 

 you like," said a Yankee teacher to a young 

 woman who was trying the "treat him kindly " 

 theory, and was calling her horse a " dear old 

 ducky darling ; " " and," he continued, " I'm 

 rather fond of candy myself, but it isn't coaxing 

 or lump sugar that will make that horse go. 

 It's brains and reins and foot and whip." 



When you have a horse of your own, talk to 

 him as much as you like, and teach him your 

 language as an accomplishment, but address the 

 riding-school horse in his own tongue, until you 

 have mastered it yourself. 



Now, adjust yourself carefully, lean for- 

 ward, extend your hands a very little, touch 

 your horse with your left heel, and, as soon 

 as he moves, sit erect and let your hands 

 resume their position. Hasten his steps until 

 he is almost trotting, before you strike him 

 with the whip. You can do this by very 

 slightly opening and shutting your fingers in 

 time with the slight pull which he gives with 

 his head at every step, by touches with your 

 heel, and by touches, not blows, with the whip, 

 and by allowing yourself, not to rise, but to sit 



