38 THE ART OF TRAINING ANIMALS. 



THE HORSE LYING DOWN. 



TO TEACH A HORSE TO SIT UP. 



A common winding-up of the "grand entree" which usually 

 commences the performances at most circuses, is for the horses 

 of all the riders to lie down at the word of command, and at 

 another command, to sit up on their haunches. The lying down 

 part we have already explained j the getting up is taught by 

 Jennings as follows : 



" Lay the animal down as previously directed, having a collar 

 upon him ; place a hobble or strap, with a ring in it, around 

 each hmd foot ; take a pair of ordinary driving lines, pass the 

 buckle end through the collar back to the ring in the hobble, 

 and buckle them ; pull the feet up toward the shoulders, and 

 carry the lines back to the hind quarters, hold them firmly in 

 one hand, or give them to an assistant. Have a bridle with a 

 long rein upon the animal ; take the rein in your hand, stand 

 upon the tail, and pull upon the bridle rein, keeping the lines 

 firm at the same time ; this brings him up in front, and prevents 

 his gettmg his hind feet back far enough to rise upon them^ 

 they being drawn forward and securely held by the lines." 



KICKING AT WORD OF COMMAND. 



Jennings gives the following instructions for teaching horses 

 a very common trick performed at circus exhibitions : 



" Care must be taken in teaching this trick, that you have a 

 horse not predisposed to vicious propensities, or you may make 

 a confirmed kicker ; and then you will have the habit to break- 

 up. A horse of a mild disposition may be taught to perform 

 thus without the risk of his becoming a kicker. I have taught 

 one of my ponies to kick when I desire him to do so, and he 

 cannot be made to kick unless the whip is used lightly upon his 



