The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



side, and take him round. Gradually increase 

 the weight until you have four or five stone of 

 potatoes on each side. You have thus nearly 

 the weight of a man on his back. He will 

 make no objection. Make him he down, un- 

 buckle the circingle and pull the load off his 

 back. 



Next day bring a saddle in, with girths, 

 stirrup leathers, and irons. Show them to the 

 horse and let him smell them all he wants. 

 Rub the saddle along his neck, raise it at the 

 wither and lower it on to his back. He will 

 remember the sack and potatoes and make no 

 objection. Gradually tighten the girths in the 

 same manner as with the circingle. Put the 

 sack over the saddle, and, as before, fill up 

 gradually with potatoes. Manoeuvre him in 

 every way about the yard ; make him he down 

 and get up again with the load. Do this two 

 or three times. 



Next day follow the same programme with 

 the saddle and sack ; but, on the second time 

 of lying down, get rid of the load and take its 

 place yourseK. He will get up with you on 

 his back, and make httle or no fuss about 

 doing so. Talk to him and play with his neck 

 and head before moving him on. Tlien ride 

 him slowly at walking pace all round the yard 

 with stops, and, when quite used to it, quicken 

 his pace and ultimately let him trot. It will 

 be heavy going in the straw-yard, but it is 



67 



