DOCKING 173 



surcingle, so that you have a V-shaped leverage on the 

 head, and use this to control the horse when down. 



When he attempts to get up, roll him back and 

 continue until he is discouraged in the attempt, after 

 which caress and give him some oats or an apple ; walk 

 all about him and then stop and caress him. Do not 

 keep him on the ground long at a time. 



After two or three lessons you can stand on the 

 horse's right side, reach under him and raise the left 

 front foot, drawing his nose toward you, and he will 

 lie down readily. 



To reduce the trick to word of command, you should 

 say " Lie down ! " as you are throwing him, and continue 

 the process of throwing and the use of the command 

 until he will lie down at command, or by merely touching 

 him with the whip on his shins he will drop to his knees 

 and then down on his side. 



DOCKING 



I do not agree with docking ; I love to see a long tail, 

 as seen on the thoroughbred and the trotter. Some 

 people think that if the horse is docked there will be no 

 fear of the reins getting under the tail. But if the colt 

 is properly broken and long-reined there will be no 

 fear of this causing an accident. Docking, after all, is 



