THE-:- HORSE 



rider makes it less easy for the horse to give 

 free play to his muscles, also a semblance of 

 control is maintained, which psychologically 

 helps to discourage the animal from its at- 

 tempts to throw its rider. 



To stay on the back of a bucking horse 

 large and dull Mexican spurs may be used to 

 advantage. The rider can either hook the 

 cinch with the spurs, or the horse's flanks. 

 It is not well, however, to hook the horse's 

 flanks until, in the vernacular, "he is going 

 high and crooked," because it would be like 

 touching a match to a keg of dynamite when 

 an explosion might have been averted. The 

 explosion, however, having once taken place, 

 it is safe to suppose that the horse is exert- 

 ing himself to his utmost, and that no form 

 of grip the rider may take will cause a greater 

 exertion on the part of the animal. At this 

 time the reins, gripped firmly in the left 

 hand, will assist greatly in keeping the rider 

 in the saddle, and his right hand swinging 

 free will assist in maintaining his balance. 



General Remarks. Bad habits in a horse 

 and innate viciousness, in a general way, are 

 best overcome by gradually making the 

 animal realize that opposition is futile. 

 Make him understand that no harm, un- 

 reasonable annoyance or hardship is in- 

 tended. His resentment and desire to 

 forcibly rid himself of the discomfort and 

 fright occasioned by man will then cease. 



68 



