Rarey's Advice. 561 



must turn to the right ; but if you are in a wild country with a wild horse to tamo, then, if 

 you are hurried, you may adopt Rarey's advice, always remembering that these operations 

 should be performed in a very quiet place, and, if possible, under cover within four walls, with no 

 other horses or noisy men to distract your pupil's attention. 



"After he is saddled, take a switch in your right hand and walk him about the barn a 

 few times with your right hand over the saddle, holding the reins in each hand, and start 

 turning him on either hand, making him if needful run up to the bridle by a gentle tap on 

 his hind-quarters, then stopping him and always caressing him and loosing the reins when 

 you do stop. 



" As soon as you have so ' gentled ' your colt that he will stand still, and is not the least 

 afraid when you approach him on either side, take him into some enclosed place, a large 

 stable, barn, or riding-school. Then bring a mounting-block, to the sight of which he 

 must have previously been perfectly accustomed, and place it just behind his shoulder. Mount 

 the block very quietly and stand on it, stroking ('gentling') him all over. If he shows the 

 least alarm, be quiet and do not attempt anything for some time — minutes, or hours, as the 

 case may be. As soon as he is quite reconciled to seeing you standing over him, if you use 

 stirrups put your foot into the near one and press on it gradually, leaning at the same time 

 with your right hand on the pommel, the left hand holding the reins loosely, so that you bring 

 your whole weight to bear on the saddle. Repeat this several times, until he makes no sign of 

 resistance, until, without alarming him, you can slip your leg over his croup and take your seat. 



" Many breakers prefer a well-stufifcd pad with good knee and thigh rests, like a Somerset 

 saddle, without stirrups, for the first saddling lessons ; but on this plan the horse-block must 

 be so high that the rider can pass his leg over the croup without the least e.xertion. 



" The movable block enables you to accustom the colt to see you above him in the position 

 he will see you, looking backwards, when mounted. By leaning over him on the block, and 

 pressing on his back, you gradually accustom him to weight, so as not to alarm him so much 

 by the sensation of being first mounted. 



" Finally, a block of proper height enables you to step into the saddle without making a 

 spring, an action that will alarm or irritate many broken horses, when fresh with too much 

 corn and too little exercise." 



Rarey insists " that a horse should always stand to be mounted without being held," and 

 that "a horse is nevej' properly broken that has to be held zvlien being vionnted ;" that a colt is 

 never so safe to mount when you see that assurance of confidence and absence of fear which 

 causes him to stand without holding. But this docility cannot always be obtained. 



To encourage his standing still put his head to a wall. If, however, it is necessary to 

 hold the colt, let a steady man stand at his head fondling his nose, and at a critical moment 

 lay hold of the cheeks of the bridle just above the bit, not of the bit or reins. 



When you are mounted do not start him by touching him with your heel, or startle him 

 in any way, but speak to him in the language you have been accustomed to use ; pull one 

 rein gently to one side, so as to make him shift his leg and move, and let him walk off gently 

 with the reins loose at first, then gather up the reins and repeat mounted the lessons in turning 

 right and left, stopping, and backing, which you have already practised on foot and with the 

 driving reins. 



If he shows the least inclination to stand still and be restive, slip off him quietly and 

 proceed with the old lessons, because you must not fight him unless you are quite certain to 

 conquer. 



T T T 



