148 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



respond. Lighten the stroke as he shows more readiness 

 to respond. 



As soon as he responds quickly with a light action 

 on the left leg, step to the other side, seize the left rein 

 with the right hand and with the crop in the left proceed 

 as with the other leg. Be satisfied, at first, with a 

 pawing motion of each leg, without the horse stepping 

 forward. Keep well to the side, as some horses will 

 strike viciously when they do strike, and you will need 

 to use caution to keep from getting struck with their 

 front feet. 



After the horse has learned to strike forward 

 with the right foot, step again to the left of the horse, 

 as described in the first position, except at this time 

 seize all four reins in the left hand and strike first 

 the left leg and then the right leg of the horse, making 

 him respond with first one, then the other. The left 

 hand can assist by moving the head first one way, then 

 the other, to throw the weight off the foot to be raised. 



After a few trials the horse will strike forward with 

 each foot alternately, as signalled. If you should drill 

 the horse in this too long, the trick would end here and 

 could be carried no further. After accomplishing this 

 much, the horse must be kept progressing toward the 

 final goal. 



