TEACHING HORSES TRICKS. 1 13 



and say, "Come here, sir." He does not know what 

 this means, but you show him by pulling on the bridle 

 a little, which he will obey by moving towards you a 

 few steps. This movement you thank him for by step- 

 ping forward and giving him a little apple or a few 

 kernels of corn, and caressing him gently; then repeat 

 in the same way, rewarding him as before, and so con- 

 tinue until he will walk up to you readily when you 

 crack the whip or say, "Come here, sir," which he will 

 soon learn to do. Each time he comes to you, talk to 

 him kindly, and do not fail to give him his little re- 

 ward of corn or apples, oats, or something of the kind 

 which lie likes. You can now take off his halter and 

 turn him loose, and repeat until he fully comprehends 

 that the way to avoid the whip is to come to you, 

 which, with the encouragement of being rewarded, will 

 soon inspire his fullest confidence, and he will come to 

 you and follow you like a dog. 



Be very cautious about the use of the whip, or harsh 

 language, remembering that perfect, cheerful obedi- 

 ence is your object, and that can be secured only by 

 great patience and gentleness. 



TO MAKE A BOW. 



Take a pin in your right hand, between the thumb 

 and forefinger, and stand up before, but a little to 

 the left of, your horse. Then prick him cm the breast 

 very lightly, as if a fly biting, to relieve which he will 

 bring down his head, that you will accept as yes, and 

 for which you will reward by caressing and feeding as 

 before. Then repeat, and so continue until he will 

 bring his head down the moment he sees the least 

 motion of your hand towards his breast; or substitute 

 some signal which he will understand readily. 

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