TO TEACH A HORSE TO STAND 6TILL. 103 



two lessons, of half an hour each. I dc not know any 

 one who has tried, but it is worth trying. 



"Go up to him, pat -him on the neck (i. e. gentle 

 him), and speak to him ; then taking the curb reins a 

 few inches from the rings with the left hand, place 

 yourself so as to offer as much resistance as possible to 

 him when he tries to break away. Take the whip in 

 the right hand with the point down, raise it quietly and 

 tap the horse on the chest ; he will rein back to avoid 

 punishment ; resist and follow him, continuing the tap- 

 ping of the whip, but without anger or haste. The horse, 

 soon tired of running back, will endeavour to avoid the 

 infliction by rushing forward ; then stop and make much 

 of him. This repeated once or twice will teach the 

 horse that, to stand still, is to avoid punishment, and 

 will move up to you on a slight motion of the whip." 



I doubt whether high-spirited horses would stand 

 this treatment. 



To teach a horse to stand in the field. Nolan's plan 

 was, to draw the reins over the horse's head and fasten 

 them to the ground with a peg, walk away, return in a 

 few minutes and reward him with bread, salt, or carrot; 

 in a short time the horse will fancy himself fast when- 

 ever the reins are drawn over his head. It may be 

 doubted whether, in the excitement of the hunting-field, 

 either Earey's or Nolan's plan would avail to make a 

 huntsman's horse stand while hounds were running. 

 Scrutator gives another method which is not within 

 everyone's means to execute. 



" In my father's time we had a large field, enclosed by 

 a high wall, round which the lads used to exercise their 

 horses, with a thick rug only, doubled, to sit upon. A 

 single snaffle and a sharp curb-bit were placed in the 

 horse s mouth ; the former to ride and guide by. To 



