336 



TEACHING TIUCKS. 



least motion toward the rump will induce him to kick up ; 

 then touch with the whip, and repeat until at the mere 

 motion of it he will kick up. 



These tricks may be made quite interesting by talking 

 to the horse somewhat as follows : '* Tommy, I want you 

 to tell how old you are ; will you do it ? " and signal for 

 the horse to shake his head, as if refusing. Then exclaim, 

 as if surprised, " Oh, you can't tell your age, I suppose, 

 without being paid for it ! Will you do it if I give you a 



Fig. 230. — Blind Billy i-unning after and catching liis trainer when 

 playing Blind Man's Buff. 



lump of sugar?" and signal for him to nod his head. You 

 can now signal for him to tell his age, and when he has 

 done so, it gives him an air of sagacity which is very amus- 

 ing and interesting. Again, you may ask, " What will you 

 do to one who does not treat you well?" then signal for 

 him to kick. His prompt obedience, of course, indicates to 

 the spectators that he understands what is said to him, 

 when in reality he is only obeying the signals which have 

 been taught him. The nice point lies in giving the signals 

 in such a manner that they will not be noticed or under- 

 stood by the spectators. 



