Training the Whipper-in's Horse 



sting with all the venom imparted by its wielder, but 

 after the report, its energy is completely spent and it 

 will recoil harmlessly upon anything with which it may 

 subsequently come in contact. This latter is the portion 

 of the whip-stroke which is most likely to touch the 

 horse and whose actual feel he must be taught to ignore. 



His own stable-yard is the ideal place to begin his 

 education. One should be dismounted to let him see 

 the better what one is doing. The whip may be drawn 

 slowly over his back, over his neck, over his head. 

 Later the lash may be flicked gently against his ribs, 

 his shoulders, his quarters. After a week or so he may 

 even allow one to throw the lash lightly around his hind 

 legs without trying to kill everyone about the yard. 

 After some time one can jog along the roads swinging 

 the whip, carelessly letting its thong fall harmlessly 

 where it will, on his neck, his ears, under his belly, 

 round his legs, anywhere, in fact : he is beginning to 

 realise it does not hurt him ! 



Now that he ignores the swing of the whip and the 

 feel of it, he must be taught to scorn the sound of it. 

 When he is looking out over the half- door of his loose- 

 box, one can begin a mild barrage of whip-cracks just 

 to introduce the subject : but the first time he hears a 

 resounding report he will cower in terror in the corner 

 of his loose-box. Eventually he will munch his corn 

 or gaze across the half-door with such an utterly bored 

 look that nothing short of an air-raid would make him 

 move an eyelid. 



Such manners will endear him to the man who rides 

 him next season. 



161 



