176 Training the Saddle Horse 



horse goes steadily around at the canter, arrange the 

 hurdles about one foot high, then lead him toward 

 one of them and when near quietly encourage him 

 to jump. If he refuses, lead him back and punish 

 him as he moves away from the hurdles, then turn 

 and try again, never punishing as he approaches 

 the object, as this distracts his attention and he 

 will refuse again. When he jumps, caress him. 



During the second lesson approach the hurdles 

 from the opposite direction, and alternate from 

 day to day. Do not hurry the horse, and do not 

 run risks by asking him to jump when the earth is 

 wet and slippery, or when there is the slightest dan- 

 ger. Continue this exercise until the horse is four 

 years old, when he may be mounted and ridden about 

 the farm. At first, to inspire confidence, have 

 him jump easy objects. If you do not overdo the 

 work, he will soon acquire courage and carry you 

 wherever you may wish to go. 



Training to stand. — The saddle horse should be 

 taught to stand whenever the reins are thrown 

 over his head. This is done by fastening a bag 

 to the reins in such a way that when the horse 

 steps forward he steps on the bag, and gives him- 

 self a jerk at the bit. Very soon he learns that 

 when the reins are over his head and the bag on the 

 ground, he is to stand. After a while the bag may 

 be removed, and the horse will stand simply by 

 throwing the reins over his head and on the ground. 



