TO TEACH A HORSE TO POSE 155 



Bring the horse to a stand, and, standing on the 

 ground in front of and facing the horse, seize the reins 

 on each side about four inches from the bits. By a 

 sUght pull on the horse's head to his right, have him 

 step forward with his left front foot. As soon as he 

 steps, lift the head slightly and say " Whoa ! " before 

 he can step forward with the hind foot. Then turn the 

 horse's head to his left and pull slightly forward with your 

 left hand, causing the horse to step the right foot forward ; 

 again lift his head and say " Whoa ! " before he can 

 move a hind foot. 



If the front feet are not even, turn the head away 

 from the foot too far back and have the horse move it 

 forward. It may move only a few inches at a time, but 

 the least progress wdth the front feet and the hind feet 

 stationary means success in the end. 



Do not expect the horse, the first few trials, to stretch 

 the front and hind feet as far apart as you may expect 

 after a few lessons. 



When the front feet are firmly planted forward, by 

 a slight jerking motion on the reins gradually lift the 

 head and press the nose backward toward the shoulder, 

 until the head is perpendicular and the neck proudly 

 arched. 



You will have to use your judgment as to what 



