HORSE SENSE. 



145 



lizes our wants and moves backward at the word alone. If we have a 

 sluggish or sullen horse a piece of wood (not sharp) may be used to ad- 

 vantage instead of the fingers, but usually the fingers alone are suf- 

 ficient. Don't make the lesson very long, at first, and by the third or 

 fourth trial the horse will respond to the word, together with gentle pres- 

 sure on the bit. 



Cut No. 63. 



DON'T PUNISH THE HORSE TO BACK, AS BACKING IS AN 

 ART. 



It is altogether wrong to "jerk" or "see-saw" the bit through the 

 mouth to get the horse to back, when one, two or three lessons, as in- 

 dicated, will make a willing servant in backing the horse without punish- 

 ment or excitement. With the horse, backing is an art, and must be 

 cultivated with great patience to make a complete success. 



When we consider the horse in harness, cramped at the mouth with 

 the bit and at the rear by a breechen and then asked to back a load, for 

 the first time, is it at all surprising that he gets confused and don't know 

 what to do? Add to the punishment at the mouth with the bit, that of 

 the whip and what can we expect him to do, but go up into the air and 

 throw himself? 



