The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



wanted ; have made him get up at your word 

 and he has followed without pull wherever 

 you went. There have been oats on occasion, 

 scratching and so on. He has done every- 

 thing most willingly, and altogether he looks 

 upon you as a most interesting and dehghtful 

 pal, and hkes to be with you as much as possible. 



In the small paddock or stable-yard, you 

 have taught him to lead, have left him free to 

 go about, and have shown him that you are the 

 place he is to come back to. In the entry into 

 the stable you have taught him that it is safe 

 to follow you into a horrible place. It is now 

 time that you rode him outside. 



Bring him from the stable, bridled and 

 saddled but loosely girthed, to the straw-yard. 

 Put kneecaps on, tighten his girths, mount 

 and ride him around. Dismount and make 

 him lie down. Mount again, have the old 

 horse brought in and bring him alongside. 

 Let them talk to each other. Have some of 

 your friends in, and let them come up and pat 

 the horse. Have even the infernal dog in. 

 Spend half an hour this way, remove and tie 

 up the dog, double chained. Now you can 

 open the gate and depart. 



The first outside ride had better be in one 

 of your large paddocks, empty. The lesson 

 to-day is restraint. It is better, for the whole 

 time you are out, not to increase the pace 

 beyond the walk. Stop a great number of 



92 



