DESIRE FOR COMPANY. 109 



at three, four, or at any time that it is intended to put him to 

 work. He will be found to remember all that he has been 

 taught, although he will most likely come up fresh and frisky 

 as even old horses will be after a long rest. The most 

 exciting cause of restiveness is, generally, the extremely 

 strong desire to return to his field componions. This is one 

 of the strongest impulses of his nature, and one that must be 

 resisted, but you need not contend with him about it under any 

 circumstances in which he could possibly defeat you. We would 

 not even venture to tie him up, when first brought from the field, 

 except with the same precautions taken for the first tying up (184). 

 Where convenient, it is better to put him into a loose box or yard. 

 If the latter, take care that it is secure and high enough to prevent 

 his jumping either over or on it. The exercise he will take in 

 trotting from side to side will help to prepare him for his work. 



Give him good hay and roots, or grass, but give him very 

 little corn at first, increasing the quantity as the work gets harder, 

 and his digestive organs adapt themselves to the change of food. 



220. — When he has become less frantic about his company, 

 take him into the stall and put him on the reins for two hours 

 (185) ; then turn him round, tie him up and feed him. Put on 

 a bridle and saddle and mount him with the same precautions as 

 at first (193). Ride him at first, either with an old liorse, or in 

 some direction that he will have no strong objection to (197). 

 Practice him at a fast walk and a good steady trot, and teach him 

 that he is not to use his paces together, Ijut to keep at one pace 

 till the signal is given for another. Teach him to walk and trot 

 with a slack rein, but gather him up for a canter, which is not a 

 natural pace for him. For a canter, tighten the rein and urge 

 him a little with your heels, this will start him to gallop, which 

 you must shorten gradually to a canter, keeping him a good deal 

 on his hind legs with his fore feet well before him. He will 

 probably want a good deal of practice before he will canter slowly, 

 pleasantly, and safely. Avoid anything like racing with a com- 

 panion, as a young horse is generally too prone to take to it, and 

 it makes him unpleasant and unmannerly in company. Let him 

 rather understand that his business is to keep his head level with 

 that of his companion. 



