120 GYMNASTICS. 



best to take this precaution, as boys generally do something 

 out of the way that teazes a pony, and although the pony will have 

 to get used to unskilful handling, it can and must be done without 

 the risk of a kick, 



248. — When the boy has handled the pony all round drop 

 the pony's leg, and let the boy come up to his head again, and 

 give him another handful of oats, in any awkward way he 

 pleases. 



Then let the boy lie down quietly on his back and give the 

 pony another handful of oats, either out of the boy's hand or 

 close to the boy out of yours. The boy may next throw up his 

 legs, then his hands, roll over, stand on his head, and perform as 

 he pleases, whilst you lead the pony close round him, getting the 

 boy to repeat anything that alarms the pony. Every now and 

 then the pony should be encouraged to come up and take a 

 handful of oats from the boy's hand, until he gets to thoroughly 

 understand that it is only a boy after all, however frightful his 

 antics may have made him appear. The boy may next put on a 

 girl's frock and bonnet, and with the foot again held up, rub 

 round the pony in that dress, and afterwards repeat on the ground 

 all that he has done liefore in his own clothes. 



240. — Setting aside the frock and bonnet, the boy may next 

 come up to the pony and after giving him a handful of oats, 

 hang on round his neck and climb over him with hands and 

 legs in any awkward way he pleases, getting up on one side and 

 down the other, reversing the sides, and making the descent, as 

 much like a tumble as he pleases. When the pony is (juite 

 reconciled to all this, and will stand quite still with such 

 gymnastics, put on your long reins and putting the boy on the 

 pony's back, with the reins that you fastened to the halter in his 

 hand, drive the pony about, with the boy sitting steadily in the 

 saddle. After a little practice at this, get the boy to slip 

 out of his seat and hang, holding by the saddle, whilst you 

 immediately stop the pony with your reins. Then let the boy 

 drop off and rolling over on the ground, get up and feed and 

 fondle the pony. If the pony does not very soon learn to stop 

 of its own accord directly the boy is unseated, as most ponies 



