92 THE ART OF TAMING HORSES. 



it by clt;grees gain your point inch by inch, passing it 

 always from his eyes to his neck, and from his neck to 

 his back and tail ; and so with a riding-habit, in half an 

 hour any horse may be taught that it will not hurt him, 

 and then the difficulty is over. 



To fire off a, horses back. Begin with caps, and, by 

 degrees, as with the drum, instead of lengthening the 

 reins, stretch the bridle hand to the front, and raise it 

 for the carbine to rest on, with the muzzle clear of the 

 horse's head, a little to one side. Lean the body for- 

 ward without rising in the stirrups. Avoid interfering 

 with the horse's mouth, or exciting his fears by suddenly 

 closing your legs either before or after firing be quiet your- 

 self and your horse will be quiet. The colt can learn, as I 

 have already observed, to bear a rider on his bare back 

 during his first lessons, when prostrate and powerless, 

 fast bound by straps. The surcingle has accustomed him 

 to girths he leads well, and has learned that when the 

 right rein is pulled he must go to the right, and when 

 the left rein to the left. You may now teach him to bear 

 the BIT and the SADDLE if you have not placed it upon his 

 back while on the ground, and for this operation I cannot 

 do better than return, and quote literally from Mr. Earey. 



"HOW TO ACCUSTOM A HORSE TO A BIT. 



"You should use a large, smooth, snaffle bit, so as not 

 to hurt his mouth, with a bar to each side, to prevent 

 the bit from pulling through either way. This you should 

 attach to the head-stall of your bridle, and put it on 

 your colt without any reins to it, and let him run loose 

 in a large stable or shed some time, until he becomes a 

 little used to the bit, and will bear it without trying to 

 get it out of his mouth. It would be well, if convenient, 



