CHAPTER II 



FIRST LESSONS 



FREE JUMPING, &c. 



The first lessons may be given without a man 

 on the horse's back. For this free jumping 

 several methods are useful. For the first lesson 

 a small bank is almost the best obstacle. 

 The trainer should have his horse so that he 

 will lead freely. An occasional mouthful of 

 oats given to a young horse by his trainer will 

 soon induce him to follow kindly. 

 The trainer will then start by walking over 

 quite a small bank, leading the horse on a 

 cavesson or rein attached to the nose-band. If 

 the horse is inclined to play up it may be 

 necessary to attach the rein to the snaffle. 

 Sometimes an assistant may be required to 

 drive the horse on from behind. On no account 

 must the trainer keep looking back towards the 

 horse he is leading, or in all probability the 

 latter will stop. After incredibly few times 

 the horse will be found to negotiate the banks 

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