APPENDIX I. 87 



him, and how he got there. If a wild horse suddenly finds a 

 panther or a tiger on his back, he at once, in terror, endeavours 

 by a succession of flings to get rid of the incubus. So it is with 

 the unbroken colt bred in captivity, and especially so with the 

 pony fresh from his native hills or pastures. What must be his 

 astonishment when, for the first time he feels a saddle tightly 

 girthed to his back, and the weight of some one in it ? His 

 first and only feeling is that of fear, so, being prevented by the 

 bit and bridle from rushing off at the verge of his speed, he by 

 bucks, plunges, and kicks, sets to work to throw the rider. 



In mounting the colt the first attempts at making him quite 

 quiet during the process should be in the direction of ehminating 

 every sense of fear. As saddles, especially if badly stuffed and 

 cold, are the cause of many back troubles, I prefer to have him, 

 in the first instance, ridden in a rug or sheepskin, the wool next 

 his hair, kept in its place by a broad web surcingle. Hold the 

 rug or skin to his nose, and let him smell and feel it, rub it over 

 his head, down his neck, in fact all over him, not neatly folded 

 up but loose ; toss it about, drag it over him, round him, be- 

 tween his fore legs, under his belly, and out between his thighs. 

 When he takes no heed of it, fold it up on his back and girth 

 it on with the surcingle. Then lead him out for half an hour or 

 so occasionally, pulling up to lean a good bit of weight on 

 his back. 



On returning to the loose box, covered yard, or paddock, 

 the first lesson in mounting will be commenced. Having 

 secured the services of some active smart lad who. can ride 

 and vault, the lighter the better, make him stand on a 

 mounting block, an inverted empty wine chest will do, placed 

 near his fore leg. If the pony be nervous at this block, let him 

 examine it, smell it, touch it, and even eat a few carrots off it. 

 Standing on this coign of advantage, the lad must loll over him, 

 patting him, reaching down well on the off side, leaning at first 

 a portion, and then his whole weight on him. If he makes no 

 objection to this treatment, the lad should seat himself on his 

 back, mounting and dismounting repeatedly, slowly but neatly, 

 being careful not to descend on his back with a jerk. So long 

 as the colt shows no fear, this gymnastic practice may be varied 

 with advantage to almost any extent, the contact of the gymnast's 

 body with that of the pony being as close as possible. He 

 should not only vault all over him and straddle him, but should 

 crawl and creep all over him and under him, winding up by 

 vaulting on his back, over his head, and over his quarters. I 

 have frequently taught Arabs to put their heads between my 



