52 THE ART OF TRAINING ANIMALS, 



the animal : " Whenever the pony had been turned out to 

 graze and was afterward brought up to be hitched into the car- 

 riage, it invariably turned lame after gomg a few yards — so lame 

 in fact that I frequently turned back, being ashamed to drive 

 an animal in such apparent pain; I say apparent, because no 

 sooner had the pony been relieved of its harness than it used to 

 canter around. The same pony when brought from the stable 

 would go perfectly well as long as it wished, but when I drove 

 it in any direction contrary to its inclination it became lame 

 immediately ; as soon as its head was turned homeward the 

 lameness entirely disappeared." 



TO TEACH A HORSE TO WALK OYER YOU. 



This trick is sometimes exhibited by persons desirous of dis- 

 playing either their own courage or the docility of then* horses. 

 There is a natural aversion felt by horses, and indeed by most 

 animals, to treading on a living object. Few horses will, of 

 their own accord, unless they are under excitement, trample 

 upon a child who may chance to be in the way. Many instances 

 are related of horses lifting infants from their pathway and 

 gently putting them down on one side, where thej^ were out oi 

 danger. It is therefore pretty safe to allow your horse to step 

 over you, while you lie upon the ground. To insure against 

 accidents, however, a little preliminary training is advisable. 

 First, let an assistant lead the horse over your legs while you 

 are seated upon the ground with those members extended. 

 Then, after a few repetitions, lie down at full length and let the 

 assistant lead the horse over you in varioug directions. Very 

 soon the horse may be entrusted to walk over you, merely 

 guided by the snapping of your fingers in the direction you 

 desire him to go. 



ORDINARY CIRCTTS HORSES. 



The common horses ridden by circus performers require some 

 training before they are available in the " circle," though it is 

 slight compared with the instructions of the " trick " horses. 

 The main thing is to break them to trot evenly and steadily 

 around the ring. They may be taught this in an open field by 

 attaching a line to the nose piece of the halter, which line tlie 

 trainer holds in his left hand while in his right he has a long 

 whip. Starting the horse, the trainer turns slowly as the horse 

 goes around; the line keeps the horse from going away from 

 the trainer in any direction and so forces him to go in a circle ; 

 the whip is used to keep him at the proper distance from the 

 man, and so preserve always the same sized circle. The whip 



