178 



He should always be caressed while he is lying, and 

 also when permitted to rise. 



TERMS OF EXPRESSION TO USE TO A HORSE. 



In teaching a colt to understand what is said to 

 him, the breaker should always use the same words 

 for the same actions. For example, in starting him, 

 he should say " Get up." When he wants him to 

 stop he should say " Woa." If the colt moves while 

 he is standing, the breaker should never say " Woa " 

 again, as hundreds of men do, when he has already 

 used that word for a different action, but " Steady," 

 instead. In backing him the breaker should say 

 *' Back," and so on, each word always being applied to 

 its proper action. If the colt is standing at the near 

 side of the stall, and the breaker wishes to go up at 

 that side, he should say *' Get over " ; but if he is 

 standing at the right side he should only say "Steady," 

 which is all that is necessary, and vic^ versa from the 

 other side. It is wonderful how soon a colt will learn 

 to understand the different expressions if method is 

 exercised in their application ; but if no regard is 

 paid to this important matter he will get thoroughly 

 confused, and will never be able to understand what 

 they mean. He should be kindly treated and softly 

 spoken to, for it should always be borne in mind 

 that he will never learn an}'thing worth learning 

 through fear. Anything he acquires through the 

 last-named channel will generally develop into vice, 

 and it will require a great deal of patience and time 

 to persuade him to forget it. * 



