GENTLING THE HORSE. 151 



account of the pressure of the rope making him 

 ''bring his hind-quarters well under him." I do not 

 know who invented this form of crupper, which 

 was known to Fanchion, Magner, Pratt, Rockwell, 

 and all the other American '' horse-tamers." 



Gentling the Horse. — Having put on this crupper 

 leading-rein, the horse may be gentled all over 

 with a long pole. We may, then, lift up his fore 

 and hind legs, successively, and handle him all 

 over. Every display of confidence on his part 

 should be rewarded by encouraging words, patting, 

 and, if procurable, a piece of carrot, or, if he will 

 eat it, a bit of bread, or lump of sugar. If we 

 have got a strait-jacket at hand, we may use 

 it with advantage, in the event of his proving 

 very nervous. If the horse shews fight, we may 

 employ the gag and rope-twitch, invariably using, 

 with the latter, the word "steady," and dis- 

 continuing the application of the rope as soon as 

 the animal obeys the word. 



t -» 







