J.4 , THE HORSE OWNEE's 



prepared to receive further instruction ; for now we have 

 the three points established, fear, love and obedience. 

 Now for the practical use of the surcingle. 



After teaching the horse to come to you, take the sur- 

 cingle in your hand, and approach him at the left side, pat 

 and caress him ; carefully lay the surcingle over his back 

 and buckle it as you would over a blanket. Now gen- 

 tly raise the left forward foot, and place it in the surcin- 

 gle by the use of the strap attached to the third ring of 

 the surcinole, as in Fio^. 3. 



Your horse is now upon three legs, and it is impossible 

 for him to free himself. He finds that he is fast and in 

 trouble, and as you have taught him to come to you for 

 protection, he instantly comes to you for help. Now as 

 he calls to you for assistance, be ever ready and willing 

 to assist him. By so doing, you awaken his love and 

 gratitude, at the same time destrojnng his confidence in 

 his own ability. As you approach, gently pat and caress 

 him, and relieve his foot. After caressing him for a short 

 time, step to the other side and place the right foot in the 

 fifth ring of the surcingle, which comes in the same posi- 

 tion as the third ring on the left side. He will soon call 

 for help ; as soon as he does, pat and caress him. Up tx) 

 this time you have not attempted to control his head, and 

 why ? The main object thus far has been to gain his con- 

 fidence, aud satisfy him that you could control him, and if 

 you should try to control his head he would be very anxious 

 to free himself; and also, in attempting to control his head 

 you must necessarily inflict pain, and that would tend to de- 

 stroy confidence in you, for he would be as anxious to free 

 his head from anything that was hurting him, as you 

 would to free your hand from the fire, if a man was hold- 



