154 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



projecting forward. As the horse goes down, say 

 " Down ! " Be sure to put him down on a grassy or soft 

 place, so that he will not hurt his knee, or he will become 

 timid. Soon, by taking the bridle in the left hand and 

 the left leg in the right, and a slight pull backward on 

 each, repeating the command "Down ! " you will cause 

 the horse to kneel. He should be caressed and kept down 

 until told to rise. 



A prick of a pin upon the breast will cause the horse 

 to nod his head up and down. The prick can soon be 

 reduced to pointing with a whip or finger. 



As the horse kneels, the signal can be given also for 

 nodding the head. 



Each time the horse rises he can be pulled back a 

 step or two and then taught to back away from an 

 audience, bowing and kneeling as he retires. 



The act of kneeling can be reduced to the saddle and 

 can be used for mounting and dismounting, as well as 

 for the grand-stand play. 



TO TEACH A HORSE TO POSE 



Before a horse can be made to pose he must first 

 understand what it means to stand still, without any 

 restlessness or prancing about. If he does not know 

 how to stand, teach him how, as given before. 



