182 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



of the significance of the word "whoa," is indifference 

 to pressure upon the hams and legs from behind. So 

 important is this, that I hold that the education of no 

 colt is really completed until he can be driven on or- 

 dinary roads without breeching or hold-backs. He 

 should be taught to be utterly fearless and indifferent 

 to the wagon coming suddenly upon him from behind. 

 So far as the human mind may predict, my own life has 

 been certainly saved once, because the horses I was 

 driving, when the pole snapped half way down a moun- 

 tain-side, had been taught these two supreme virtues, 

 — to stop at the word "whoa," and to hold the wagon 

 back with their haunches. It is astonishing to me that 

 two habits of obedience so essential as these, and so 

 easily inculcated, should not be regarded as actually in- 

 dispensable. I have pointed out the process of teaching 

 a colt to stop at the word. I will now suggest my 

 method of teaching horses not to fear when the wagon 

 comes suddenly against them. I take the horse, and, 

 backing him between the shafts, continue to back him 

 slowly and easily until his hams come in contact with 

 the whiffletree. He may start at first; but, after a 

 few trials, he becomes absolutely indifferent to it. 

 Then, calling the groom to the head of the horse, I 

 station myself behind the wagon or carriage, and, 

 speaking kindly and soothingly to the horse, push it 

 slowly forward until it comes against him. All this 

 is done quietly, remember, and so gently as neither 

 to hurt nor alarm the animal. After a few trials, the 



