118 LIFE PRESERVING. 



tie it to the other side and do the same. Then secure your 

 stirrups to the saddle and tie one leg of the scare crow to the 

 left stirrup, in the position that a boy would occupy with his foot 

 hung in the stirrup. Drive about like that, then try the right 

 side. Give hours, or days, or weeks to it if necessary, but let it 

 be done, so that the pony will take no notice of it, and no 

 jumping of the scarecrow over uneven ground will startle him. 

 A child's life may depend on this being done thoroughly, and at 

 any rate, a parent's peace cf mind will be very much secured by 

 it. No one can judge how long it will take, as some horses will 

 be reconciled to more in an hour than others will in a week, but 

 the most timid will come round with quiet perseverance. 



244. — Having reconciled the pony to dragging the scare 

 crow after it in various positions the jDlank may be removed. 

 Put the scare crow under the pony and move it about, then 

 bring it gently against his legs, and rub them with it. Then 

 laying it down under him between his fore and hind legs lead the 

 pony on and teach him to step over it, first with his hind legs 

 and then with all his legs. You may now put it on the pony's 

 back, and let it fall oflF, first on one side and then the other, 

 without moving the pony, and repeat the process until he will 

 take no notice of it. 



245. — For the next lesson you will require some assistance, 

 and should get your own pockets well filled with oats, carrots, 

 biscuits, or anything that you know the pony to be most fond of. 



We may here say that the patting and coaxing so much 

 recommended by some writers as a reward for 'good conduct is 

 not much valued by the horse, and is never regarded as an 

 absolute reward. He often accepts it as an evidence that you 

 are in a good temper, but it is no more a reward or a treat to 

 him, than the kisses are to an infant, which some ladies are so 

 prone to lavish upon them. A few oats in the one case, and a 

 few playthings in the other are far more potential. 



246. — Get a man to walk by the side of the pony, and to 

 hold the scare crow in the position of a rider on the saddle, whilst 

 you drive the pony with reins from behind. After all he has seen 

 of the scare crow, the pony is not likely to make any objection to 



