HOW TO SADDLE. 95 



Move him a little, and then girth it as tight as you 

 choose, and he will not mind it. 



" You should see that the pad of your saddle is all 

 right before you put it on,' and that there is nothing to 

 make it hurt him, or feel unpleasant to his back. It 

 should not have any loose straps on the back part of it, 

 to flap about and scare him. After you have saddled 

 him in this way, take a switch in your right hand to tap 

 him up with, and walk about in the stable a few times 

 with your right arm over your saddle, taking hold 

 of the reins on each side of his neck with your 

 right and left hands, thus marching him about in the 

 stable until you teach him the use of the bridle and 

 can turn him about in any direction, and stop him 

 by a gentle pull of the rein. Always caress him, and 

 loose the reins a little every time you stop him. 



" You should always be alone, and have your colt in 

 some light stable or shed, the first time you ride him ; 

 the loft should be high, so that you can sit on his back 

 without endangering your head. You can teach him 

 more in two hours' time in a stable of this kind, than 

 you could in two weeks in the common way of breaking 

 colts, out in an open place. If you follow my course 

 of treatment, you need not run any risk, or have any 

 trouble in riding the worst kind of horse. You take 

 him a step at a time, until you get up a mutual con- 

 fidence and trust between yourself and horse. First 

 teach him to lead and stand hitched ; next acquaint him 

 with the saddle, and the use of the bit ; and then all 

 that remains is to get on him without scaring him, and 

 you can ride him as well as any horse 



