HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TRICKS. 235 



by touching him with the whip on the front leg below the knee, 

 and in this way you can dispense with the strap on the off foot 

 altogether. 



When you touch the horse with the whip on the front leg he 

 will get down on his knees ; should he attempt to get up, tap 

 him on the front leg and he will soon learn to lie down at the 

 motion of the whip. Do not work on him too long at one lesson. 



You should select a nice, soft place in which to put him through 

 this exercise, or his knee-caps may become sore. Pads are useful 

 for the protection of his knees. 



After your horse has been taught to lie down, you can begin 

 to teach him to sit up, by putting a good strong strap around 

 his neck ; at that part where the collar is placed have two strong 

 straps, made with rings on them. Buckle the straps around 

 his hind legs, at the fetlock joint. Have them covered with sheep- 

 skins, with the wool next to his hide, to prevent his ankles from 

 being galled. 



Avoid using anything that has a tendency to hurt or scar 

 him. Then take a stout rope, double it and fasten the doubled 

 ■end to the strap around his neck ; take the two ends and rum 

 them through the rings in the strap on the hind legs, bringing 

 them back to the strap on the neck. Draw his feet forward ; 

 take hold of the bridle-rein ; step back and say to him " sit up." 

 When he puts his front feet forward he cannot get his hind 

 legs in the right position to get all the way up, consequently he 

 remains in a sitting posture. Steady him while in this position 

 with the reins. 



Rub and caress him a few minutes while in this position. 

 Then unite the ropes that are fastened to the strap around his 

 neck. 



These ropes should be tied in a knot that will enable you to 

 loosen them both at the same moment. Repeat these instructions 



