General Statements about Training 23 



care should be exercised not to overload him, with a 

 view of developing in him the idea that he can pull 

 anything that has both ends loose. On the other 

 hand, the first time he is tied up by the head, equally 

 as much care should be taken to see that the halter 

 is strong enough to hold him in case he pulls. If 

 the horse pulls and fails to free himself at the first few 

 attempts, he is not likely to try it again, and a string 

 would probably serve as well as a chain to keep him 

 in place thereafter. If, however, he succeeds in free- 

 ing himself at the first attempt, he will never cease 

 trying to repeat it until put through a system of 

 training to cure the habit of pulling back. 



In developing the spirit of obedience, we should 

 not work the horse too long at a time. If the ani- 

 mal is fatigued, his powers of learning are decreased, 

 and if the training is continued, he becomes con- 

 fused. Fifteen minutes to one half hour is sufficient 

 for a young horse. Five to ten half -hour lessons 

 given in systematic order will accomplish more in 

 preparing the horse to stand severe tests than two 

 years of haphazard training. 



Since horses differ in temper and disposition, we 

 are obliged to use various methods in rendering 

 them obedient. No set of rules can be laid down 

 that will apply in all cases. While such methods 

 as were employed by Galvayne and Rarey are very 

 effective in subduing semi-wild horses, neither of 

 them will cure many whims, faults or vices to which 



