80 Training the Work Horse 



Teaching the command ^^ steady. ^^ — As the com- 

 mand ^^whoa" should be given only when we wish 

 the horse to stop and stand, so is it very important 

 that he be taught the use of the term ^ ^steady" very 

 early in his career. While this term is to be used 

 under a variety of conditions, its general meaning 

 should be to slacken and pay attention. Thus if 

 we wish the horse to maintairi a certain speed, we 

 say ^'steady" in a soothing tone; if we wish him 

 to slack the speed, the same term is used but in a 

 stronger tone ; if the horse is frightened and we wish 

 him to quiet down, the command '^steady" is given 

 in a high tone and the lines are used in a character- 

 istic see-saw manner; and if the horse is about to 

 pull a heavy load and we wish him to pay attention, 

 we give the command in a rather deep tone and hold 

 evenly on the lines. 



The first usage of the command ^^ steady" that 

 should be taught is that of slackening the speed, as 

 this applies when the horse is excited and we wish 

 him to calm. This requires both judgment and 

 patient effort. When all is going smoothly, encour- 

 age the horse until he is going at a very lively rate, 

 then give the command '^steady," followed by a 

 gentle see-saw motion of the lines. When he slows 

 down to an even trot, caress him by rubbing or strok- 

 ing him over the rump with the whip. Repeat until 

 he will slow down at the command alone. 



Backing the vehicle. — After the horse has been 



