170 HUMANE '^^ HORSE-TRAINING 



gently, in order not to frighten him and to teach him 

 to balance himself. Keep his attention with the bridle 

 should he attempt to jump off the board. 



After he gets accustomed to the teetering motion 

 you can lead him forward and stop him directly over the 

 fulcrum of the teeter-board. Now take hold of one of 

 his front feet and move it forward an inch or two. Have 

 the horse balanced on the board in such a manner that 

 the moving forward or backward of this one front foot, 

 even a couple of inches, will cause him to teeter. After 

 the front end of the board touches the ground, take hold 

 of the front foot and move it backward a couple of 

 inches beyond a straight line, and the board will touch 

 on the ground behind the horse. Keep this up, moving 

 the foot backward and forward, until he gets the idea of 

 what you wish to teach him, then he will move the foot 

 of his own accord. The instant he does move it, or 

 even shows an inclination to move it, caress and treat 

 him kindly. 



A few lessons of this kind and you can elevate the 

 fulcrum to about a foot and a half high. The horse 

 will soon learn to approach the board at the command 

 "Teeter ! " (which word you should use each time you 

 lead him toward the board and just as he starts on it), 

 mount it, and proceed to teeter without a further 



