MOUNTING HORSE FOR FIRST TIME. 



221 



The requisite extent to which the head should be turned 

 round by the action of the cord, will be attained when the 

 animal is tied up just short of what would cause him to fall 

 down, if he were allowed to go round on his own account. 

 Having taken in the left hand the leading rein which is 

 fixed to the off D of the headstall, we should walk the 

 horse round and round several times, and should test his 

 amenability to discipline by stopping him with the leading 



Fig. loi. — Plorse ready to be mounted for first time. 



rein (see Fig. loi), and then pulling him round again. If 

 he resists us, we may feel convinced that he is not under 

 proper control, in which case we should, before proceeding 

 further, render him thoroughly docile according to direc- 

 tions already given. We should satisfy ourselves (see 

 page 348) that the horse will not resent his sides being 

 touched with the heels of the rider later on. When we 

 think that the animal is fully under control, we should get 



