514 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK- 



straps (and surcingle, if one has been employed) may be re- 

 moved, the head liberated, and the horse encouraged to rise 

 to his feet. Many persons make the animals undergoing 

 this process lie down in this way a number of times, until 

 they readily submit to the operation, and fall first upon their 

 knees and then upon their sides, almost at the word of com- 

 mand, and until the last vestiges of fear of saddle, harness, 

 chains, and even shafts, have vanished. It is astonishing how 

 quickly this will follow when once the horse is conquered. 

 He may be taught obedience in almost every particular. But 

 this requires constant, close attention, and great patience, 

 and sometimes the work of breaking is not completed short 

 of some days. 



Some persons bring the buggy and lay the shafts on the 

 horse while he is down, and let the wheels pass around him 

 near his body. After he is on his feet again, the saddle may 

 be brought and laid carefully on his back. If he submits to 

 this, well ; if not, he must be taken through another course 

 of exercise on his side, and this must be continued until- he 

 is willing to allow not only the saddle to be put on him but 

 every portion of the harness as well. Only one piece of the 

 gearing should be tried on him at a time, and, if he scares 

 or jumps at any of these, remove them and lay him down 

 again, and take him through another course of exercise. 



The first time that he is ridden, it should be in the stable, 

 where he has been laid on his side ; and here he may be 

 mounted by some lad, just as he has risen from his recum- 

 bent position, and led around the stable several times with 

 the young rider on his bare back. This operation must be 

 frequently repeated, until he becomes accustomed to the bur- 

 den. He should not be hitched up in the shafts until he has 

 become peifectly familiar with them, and all traces of fear 

 have disappeared. He may be prepared for hitching up by 

 being led into the shafts frequently, when they may be lifted 

 by his side, raised Up and down, etc., until he is satisfied they 

 will not harm him. If he jumps about and shows any 

 timidity, continue the lesson till he submits, and will permit 



