THE HORSE. 43 



short, as they are very fatiguing to a young 

 colt, and when given too often or for too great 

 a length of time they make him giddy from 

 rush of blood to the head ; not a few instances, 

 indeed, have occurred where a persistence in 

 such lessons has occasioned complete blindness. 



A lady's horse should be taught to disregard 

 the flapping of the riding-skirt, and it is also 

 well for him to become accustomed to having 

 articles of various kinds, such as pieces of cloth, 

 paper, etc., fluttering about him, as he will not 

 then be likely to take fright should any part 

 of the rider's costume become disarranged and 

 blow about him. 



He should also be so trained that he will not 

 mind having the saddle moved from side to side 

 on his back. The best of riders may have her 

 saddle turn, and if the horse be thus trained he 

 will neither kick nor run away should such an 

 accident occur. 



It is also very important that the horse should 

 be taught to stop, and stand as firm as a rock 

 at the word of command given in a low, firm 

 tone. This habit is not only important in 

 mounting and dismounting, — feats which it is 

 difficult, if not impossible, for the lady to per- 

 form unless the horse be perfectly still, — but 

 the rider will also find this prompt obedience of 



