DETAILS OF TEACHING. 



341 



FIG. 236. Tommy as the model 

 riding pony. 



point, give him apples, and caress him, for encouragement. 



It is important now to teach the horse to throw his 



rider only when commanded, or at a signal. To do this, 



when the boy is on, lead 



the horse a short distance 



around the ring, and then 



signal for him to throw. 



Repeat in this manner, also 



letting him go around alone 



with the boy on his back, 



until he will go on a sharp 



trot or run, and throw when 



commanded. 



I trained a pony to throw 

 so expertly that he would 

 at times turn a man or boy over in a double somersault, ana 

 bring him down squarely upon his feet. The best throw- 

 ing pony ever exhibited in this country is admitted to be 



"Tommy." (See cut 234.) 

 He has been exhibited in all 

 the principal places in the 

 North, and although the best 

 riders, from the bare-back cir- 

 cus-rider to the mustang- 

 trainer on the plains, have 

 tried, no man has ever been 

 able to sit squarely upon his 

 back one minute after the 

 horse was signalled to throw 

 him. His performances in 

 this way have been regarded as wonderful. He will even 

 carry two boys upon his back for a while, and then at the 

 motion of the finger throw them both. This sometimes 

 afforded a good deal of amusement. First, if a boy was in- 



FIG. 237. Tommy in his great act 

 of throwing. 



