156 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



the proper position is, for you can train your horse to 

 stretch so far that it lacks a great deal of being a good 

 pose. 



With some horses you may reach the end sought 

 more quickly by taking the reins in the left hand and a 

 riding- whip or crop in the right. As you pull forward 

 and turn the head with the left hand, strike the leg you 

 wish to step forward and lift the head saying, " Whoa ! " 

 as before, to prevent the hind leg moving forward. 

 The action may be repeated to move the other front 

 leg forward. The whip helps to concentrate the attention 

 of the horse upon the front legs and prevents a forward 

 motion of the hind legs. 



After the horse is taught from the ground, mount 

 and give the intimation for the horse to step forward, but 

 allow only one step at a time. When he has taken a 

 step with each front foot, tighten the curb rein and with 

 a jerky motion lift the head up and in, until he assumes 

 the proper position. 



THE PIVOT ACT 



A skilful piece of work for a horse to perform is 

 usually spoken of as the pivot act. 



The act is this : the horse takes the right front foot 

 and wraps it around the left from the knee down, while 



