54 RAREY ON HORSE-TAMING. 



choking by seizing him on the throat near the jaw, 

 at the same time holding on to liis mane with your 

 left hand. When you have exhausted him suffi- 

 ciently, let go the mane and rap him gently on the 

 fore-legs until he lies do^m ; or you may touch him 

 with your foot instead. After he is down, rub him 

 gently, speak kindly to him, and as soon as he is 

 properly composed, fondle and caress him. 



GENERAL RULES, AND REMARKS. 



In taming the horse either by choking or any of 

 the other processes here given, the following rules 

 should be observed: First— When forcing down 

 the horse in either of the ways described, be careful 

 of his neck. Do not let him fall upon that, or he 

 may break it, as the spine of the horse is easily 

 broken. Second— Do not force him down violently 

 under any circumstances. The way to get him 

 down is by patiently choking him and waiting until 

 he goes down easily and from sheer exhaustion. 

 Thirdly — Keep him very quiet by stroking or pat- 

 ting him with your hand in a gentle and delicate 

 manner, until he is entirely over the excitement 

 wMch your operations have caused in him. You can 

 generally tell when he is appeased by the expres- 

 sion of his eyes. Fourthly— In backing the horse, 

 never use violence. Hold the halter and off rein 

 in your left hand, while managing lum to bring him 

 down. 



In teaching a horse to follow you, and in curing 

 him of kicking or biting, or balking, or indeed any 



