106 Training the Work Horse 



fast as the horse understands. If he becomes ex- 

 cited and resists, do not attempt to hold him, but let 

 him have his foot and begin all over again. 



In handling the feet never allow the horse to bear 

 his weight on you, as he is big and strong enough to 

 hold himself, and will do so when he understands what 

 is expected of him. After handling the feet once 

 it is a good plan to take the hammer and gently tap 

 the hoofs as in shoeing. This gentling requires per- 

 haps fifteen minutes, and after going through the 

 course the horse will never be any trouble to shoe 

 (p. 300). 



TRAINING TO MOUNT 



Since the work horse is seldom worked under the 

 saddle, and not much time or effort is spent in train- 

 ing him to mount, a short and quick method is given 

 here, though the matter is taken up at some length, 

 and modern methods are given, in the chapter on 

 training the saddle horse (p. 155). In training a 

 horse to mount be very careful that he does not suc- 

 ceed in dislodging you, for if once he succeeds in get- 

 ting you off his back, it will take some time to con- 

 vince him that he cannot do it again. The best 

 time to take the horse is after he has been exercised 

 vigorously and while tired. The best place is on 

 soft ground, where the horse can hurt neither him- 

 self nor the rider. Put on the saddle as suggested 

 in harnessing (p. 72), and make sure that it is fastened 



