174 Training the Saddle Horse 



difficult gait on the horse. If the road is soft, he 

 fatigues rapidly, while if rough the gait is difficult 

 to perform. With the horse at one of the slow gaits, 

 preferably the slow pace, take him on the curb-rein 

 and urge him forward by gripping the knees so that 

 he will feel the clasp, and give him the spurs. A 

 horse is taught to rack by spurring him forward and 

 curbing him back. Should he start to trot, some- 

 times a side to side shake of the reins just sufficient 

 to work on the bit will encourage the green horse 

 to start off on a rack. Sit firm in the saddle and 

 urge the horse up against the curb. Do not allow 

 him to slow down into a pace ; if he falters, touch 

 him with the spurs and lift him gently on the bit 

 to steady him. After racking a short distance 

 steady down to the walk and repeat. Continue the 

 process until he will rack the moment you draw up 

 on the curb and apply the pressure with the knees. 

 Each of the saddle gaits should now be repeated un- 

 til the horse will take any one at the given signal. 

 This may require much time and patient effort, but 

 such is essential to the saddle horse's education. 

 The jump. — Some horses are born jumpers and 

 require practically no training, but jump efficiently 

 at the first attempt, while others appear to have no 

 idea of jumping whatever. While opinion is divided 

 as to the proper age to begin training the hunter, 

 many excellent horsemen think the jumping ex- 

 ercise cannot begin too early if properly conducted. 



