Training Circus Tricks 183 



nately moving the head from right to left, and occa- 

 sionally tapping the legs to encourage extension, in 

 order to bring out this walk. Later you may mount 

 the horse and by aiding with rein and whip perfect 

 the gait. 



The Spanish trot is similar to the Spanish walk 

 except that the movements are quickened and when 

 the gait is perfected, there is a brief moment between 

 each step when all four feet are off the ground, which 

 gives the horse a very spectacular appearance. 

 Similar methods are employed in teaching each of 

 the high-school movements and gaits. 



Circus tricks. — Teaching a horse circus tricks is 

 not a difficult task. The most essential things are 

 tact, patience and self-control on the part of the 

 horseman. The teaching of tricks is merely the 

 forming of what may be called unusual habits, and 

 establishing signals to excite the horse to execute 

 them. The circus horse is required to do a great 

 variety of these tricks, and to illustrate the method 

 of training we will take a case, as teaching the horse 

 to bow and shake his head, or to say ^'yes" and ^^no," 

 as the circus man puts it. 



In teaching the horse to bow or say '^yes, " stand a 

 little to one side and in front of him, and with a pin 

 prick him slightly on the breast. The horse will 

 think the slight pain was caused by a fly and will put 

 his head down to frighten it away. When he makes 

 the move toward his breast with his head, caress 



