44 SADDLE-HORSE. 



CHAPTER VI. 



SADDLE-HORSE. 



IST. It seems now in place to take up the saddle-horse, 

 and write something on the subject of breaking him for 

 that purpose. The dealer from whom you buy him will 

 probably tell you he is a well-broken horse for saddle or 

 harness; and he no doubt thinks so, and as far as he knows 

 he is so ; but unfortunately he knows nothing about it. To 

 a horseman the animal scarcely knows the rudiments of 

 his education. True, you can pull him right or left, but 

 you cannot back him. You cannot make him do any- 

 thing walk, trot, or gallop at your will, in short, he is 

 a big lump of clay to be moulded at the potter's will. I 

 know nothing that will make a finished and thorough 

 horseman so effectually as to let himself, in so far as I can 

 explain them, take these hints from Baucher's method 

 and apply them himself. It is true a good rider can get 

 along with any "horse, but not with the same ease as with 

 a handled horse. 



2d. To Make the Horse Follow, and be Gentle at Time 

 of Mounting. The trainer approaches with whip under his 

 arm, and speaks caressingly to him ; then takes the reins 

 of the curb in his left hand, five inches from the check-- 

 piece, firmly in case of resistance from the animal ; then, 

 with the whip in right hand, tap him on the breast, this 

 will naturally cause him to recede from the whip ; as he 

 does so, follow with a regular strain on the reins, still 

 tapping ; he will soon find no relief from that mode of 

 operation, and will of his own accord try something else, 



