EARLY EDUCATION OF THE HOKSE. 73 



may be mounted by some one whom he well knows, and 

 induced to go forward a few steps. In all of his previous 

 education, and particularly at this juncture, he should 

 be treated with firmness but great gentleness, and he 

 should be encouraged by hand and voice whenever his 

 conduct deserves approval. 



If he has been treated as thus far advised, he will not 

 be likely to show any restiveness on the occasion of his 

 being mounted for the first time, and the trainer will, 

 perhaps, never experi'ence any trouble with him. It is 

 not improbable that upon the third or fourth day that he 

 is mounted he will, on being taken beyond his usual 

 limits, show some disinclination to yield to the will of 

 the rider, and refuse to go in a direction for which he has 

 some dislike. No violence should be resorted to in such 

 a case, but if he will not answer the bit and the pressure 

 of the legs, he may be led by some one Avho should be at 

 hand in these early lessons to assist the trainer. 



The snaffle, alone, should be used at first, and the rider 

 should hold his hand high or low, as the horse bears down 

 or raises his head. He should be ridden in this bit until 

 he readily answers to it, and the rider should teach him, 

 as early as possible, to go foward at the pressure of the 

 legs. No whip should be carried in the early mounted 

 lessons, and in the lunging on the cavesson the whip 

 should never be used to cause pain. 



If the colt is naturally heavy in the shoulders he should 

 be made to carry himself light by short pulls upon the 

 snaffle, from below ujd wards. The active resistance of 

 the mouth should be overcome by gentle vibrations of the 

 bit. 

 4 



