SADDLE HORSES ON THE RANGE 351 



on his heels like some racing yacht with the helm hard 

 down and be off the other way with a dash the instant 

 the reins are eased up, his side feels the touch of quirt 

 or spur and the body of his rider bends forward over 

 the horn. 



When the reins are thrown over his head to the 

 ground, he should stand there as if hitched. If he does 

 not, wrap the reins about one of his front feet so as to 

 hold his head down and keep him from stepping. This 

 will educate him to stand. Sometimes a spoiled horse 

 will hang his head to one side so that the reins drag 

 free from his feet and thus travel off and leave his rider 

 in the lurch. It is hard to break a horse of this trick 

 and the best way, when you can not tie him, is to slip 

 the reins through one stirrup and from there to the horn. 

 Tie them there just so that the weight of the stirrup 

 keeps his head on one side and he can not travel but in 

 a circle, and a horse wise enough to play the first trick 

 will soon learn that he is helpless when thus fastened, 

 and stand still. Also teach him to stand still as you go 

 to mount until you are firmly in the saddle, and have 

 given the signal to move off. 



Learn to mount your horse like a cavalryman or cow- 

 boy. Do not, with one hand on the horn and the other 

 on the cantle, clamber up into the saddle as if you were 

 getting into a farm wagon. Stand just in front of the 

 horse's shoulder, facing the rear; take the reins, drawn 

 up fairly tight, so as to steady the animal, and a lock 

 of the horse's mane in your left hand. With the right 

 hand take the stirrup and turn it to you far enough so 

 you can put your toe into it. Then grasp the horn with 

 your right hand and swing up into the saddle with a 

 quick movement. If your horse is restless and not in- 



