52 LETTERS TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



clip him a sharp one between the ears with the whip, not with 

 the heavy handle, or you may injure the horse. If the horse 

 paws the air he has got his balance, but if he stops doing so 

 and his legs hang down, he has lost his balance and may come 



WITH A REFUSER THE SPURS ARE THE BEST PUNISHMENT. 



over. Slip your feet out of the stirrups and shift for your- 

 self. Bucking is awkward and may be caused by a cold 

 saddle being put on the horse's back. Do not get on this horse 

 in the stable yard. Walk him half a mile and get on then. 

 If he bucks and there is plenty of room, gallop him ; he cannot 

 buck and gallop at the same time. Keep a horse's head up if 

 he bucks ; he cannot give a real big buck unless he gets his head 

 down. But a real good bucker will grass you sooner or 

 later. As he gallops give him one or two good strokes 

 down the shoulders. If a horse runs away, try to pull him 

 round either way. If he can be steadied, keep him galloping, 

 and as he has gone some distance for his own amusement, let him 



