40 



THE ART OF TllAINIXG AXIMALS. 



ated into the question asked, in such a way as to attract his 

 attention. If used too near the commencement of the sentence 

 he will reply before ihe question is out of your mouth. It is 

 not necessary to use the exact word that he ^^ works" by, pro- 

 vided it sounds to him like it ; thus, Yankee Robinson says to 

 his horse during the performance, '^ I guess you're as handsome 

 a fellow as these ladies and gentlemen ever saw — don't you 

 guess so f The horse nods his head at the emphasized word 

 " guess," supposing it to be his command " yes." The next 

 question, perhaps, is, " But others know the most f In this 

 case the horse, not being posted on Webster, and being guided 

 by the sound, gives his head a negative shake, considering ^'no" 

 and ^' know " synonymous. 



PERFORMING PONIES. 



TEACHING HORSES TO JUMP. 



Colts should not be trained in jumping until at least four 

 years old. Until this age the muscles and sinews are too 

 pliable, and there is danger of the animal being strained. It is 

 better never to urge a horse to attempt a leap which he cannot 

 readily accomplish, for severe injury might result from his 

 striking his feet, besides any failm-e to perfonn the leap will 

 discourage him. 



The bar should at first be placed very low and only raised 

 very gradually. About knee high or less will do to commence 

 with. Commence the instructions by letting one man lead tiie 

 colt, while another man follows with a whip. The former 

 walks over the bar encouraging the colt with his voice to follow. 

 The man with the whip is only to prevent the horse backing, 

 the whip should never be applied unless the animal is positively 

 lestive. With a little coaxing he will soon go over, and having 

 once done so, he will readily repeat it. A few pieces of apple 

 niay be advantageously used to induce him to leap the bar, and 

 10 reward him for doing so. By using the word " hip " or any 



