TO MOUNT THE COLT. 45 



self and horse. First teach him to lead and stand 

 hitched ; next acquaint him with the saddle, and the 

 use of the bit ; and then all that remains, is to get 

 on him without scaring him, and you can ride him 

 as well as any horse. 



HOW TO MOUNT THE COLT. 



First gentle him well on both sides, about the 

 saddle, and all over, until he will stand still without 

 holding, and is not afraid to see you anywhere about 

 him. 



As soon as you have him thus gentled, get a small 

 block, about one foot or eighteen inches in height, 

 and set it down by the side of him, about where you 

 want to stand to mount him ; step up on this, rais- 

 ing yourself very gently : horses notice every change 

 of position very closely, and, if you were to step up 

 suddenly on the block, it would be very apt to scare 

 him ; but, by raising yourself gradually on it, he will 

 see you, without being frightened, in a position very 

 nearly the same as when you are on his back. 



As soon as he will bear this without alarm, untie 

 the stirrup-strap next to you, and put your left foot 

 into the stirrup, and stand square over it, holding 

 your knee against the horse, and your toe out, so as 

 to touch him under the shoulder with the toe of your 

 boot. Place your right hand on the front of the 

 saddle, and on the opposite side of you, taking 

 hold of a portion of the mane and the reins, as they 



