DIALOGUE BETWEEN MAN AND HOKSE. 455 



exercise to wear off the unpleasant feelings produced by standing 

 and want of water and motion ; it is necessary to quiet and com- 

 pose the system, for those cause a horse to be gentle ; is in a better 

 condition to remain in dry, but that he may be hungry and ready 

 to receive your kind offer of some good food, and then exercise 

 prepares them for further teaching. In many cases you exercise 

 the horse and teach him the use of the blanket on his back, or to 

 the rope over his body and along his sides and legs, to teach him 

 not to kick ; you should not fasten the rope to anything, as it 

 only tends to scare him. 



" M. Will you lie down on a sandbank, or plowed land, or 

 on a snow pile, that is free from sticks or stones, and all that is 

 calculated to hurt you ? 



" H. I am cautious where I place my body, so I will look 

 around me to see if there is anything in the way before I lie down. 



" M. How shall I teach you to lie down ? 



" H. First rub my fore leg on the inside and out, until I find 

 you will not hurt it ; then take it up and put it down until I 

 know there will be no hurt ; then loop around the leg, to hold it 

 up, for fear of its slipping off ; then tie a string between the leg 

 and foot. 



" M. What advantage is there in teaching you to lie down ? 

 In some cases there is none, but all horses are aware of their con- 

 dition ; some that are wild, after being handled in this way seem 

 to be convinced that they will not be hurt, and as they become 

 more convinced by rubbing their legs and flanks, or any other 

 part that will tend to quiet them while down ; but if any accident 

 has previously happened to him, you can fasten him and do what 

 is necessary ; so all that will make him docile is calculated to 

 make him more useful and safe. 



" H. All teaching is best that is quietly performed, and then 

 repeated until well understood ; all would perform this ; after it 

 is practiced some several times, you may take hold of the foot and 

 the bridle, and cause them to lie down ; and you may by fasten- 

 ing up the leg, then gently tapping them on the front part of the 

 leg, cause them to lie down at your command ; if you wish them 

 to sit upon their hips, you must place their fore feet out before 

 them, then let them rise gently, and you should stand closely to 

 the sides to hold the bridle and press against them that you may 

 steady them up. In some instances of this kind, it is better to 

 use the curb bridle, yet you should be cautious not to hurt the 

 mouth, as it is calculated to produce bad habits. 



" M. You have long been rearing, kicking, pitching, and 

 placing your head between your legs. 



" If. All creation resents mistreatment, and this is the cause 



