18 SHOOTING PONIES. [CH. n. 



aid of the checkcords, he would have them under such 

 complete command, that they would afterwards give 

 him comparatively but little trouble in the field. As 

 they became more and more submissive, he would 

 gradually retire further and further, so as, at length, to 

 have his orders obeyed, when at a considerable distance 

 from his pupils. The small portion of time these lessons 

 would occupy, compared with their valuable results, 

 should warn him most forcibly not to neglect them. 



31. All keepers will acknowledge that, excepting a systematic 

 beat, there is nothing more difficult to teach a Pointer or Setter 

 than to refrain from " pursuing Hare." They will concede that 

 there is a natural tendency in the breed to stand at game ; and, as 

 a necessary consequence, they must admit that they would have 

 far more trouble in weaning a young foxhound from the habit, 

 whose every instinct urges him to chase. And yet these keepers 

 may daily see not merely one hound, but a whole pack in the 

 highest condition, full of energy and spirits, drawing a cover alive 

 with Hares, not one of which a single dog will even look at. 

 Should not this fact convince a keeper, that if he is often obliged 

 to speak loudly to the brace of dogs he calls broken, there must be 

 something radically wrong in his management '? Is he satisfied 

 that he began their education sufficiently early, and that he has 

 been uniformly consistent since its commencement ? 



32. If you have to break in a shooting pony, you must adopt 

 some such plan as that named in 27 and 28 to make him steady. 

 Your object will be never to alarm him, and gradually to render 

 him fond of the sound of the gun. To effect this, you will keep 

 the pistol, or whatever arms you use, for a long time out of his 

 sight. Commence by burning but little powder, and fire * at some 

 distance from him. Always give him a slice of carrot or apple 

 immediately after he hears the report, and, if you act judiciously 

 and patiently, he will soon love the sound. You may then fire in 

 his presence (turning your back upon him, as if he were not a party 

 in any way concerned), and, by degrees, approach nearer and nearer ; 

 but do not go quite into his stall, that would make him shrink or 

 start, and you wish to banish all nervousness ; the least precipitation 

 would undo you ; therefore begin in the stable, with only using a 

 copper cap. Need I caution you against firing if near any straw ? 



33. Confidence being fully established, pursue the same plan 

 when you ride the pony. Again commence with a copper cap, only 



* It would expedite matters you remained near the pony to 

 much if the groom did this while feed him, or vice versd. 



