^lEAX-SPIEITED HORSES. 51 



of the stirrup, and then handle and fondle the 

 colt. Eepeat this a few times, and then lead 

 him out to the longing ground, as that most 

 familiar to him, and where he has learnt his 

 several acts of subordination, which latter is 

 not the least beneficial aid, for he will recog- 

 nise it as the scene of such to you. You must 

 now mount him in the same quiet manner as 

 before, but sit still, talk to him, and above all 

 do not urge him forward, for if you do he will 

 generaUy fight, plunge, rear, buck or kick, and 

 then unless you are a good rider he will send 

 you sprawling on mother earth. A fight at 

 this juncture should always be avoided, for if 

 he throws you he will know he is the con- 

 queror, and will most hkely be a kicker, a 

 rearer, &c., for some time to come, if not for 

 life ; but, on the other hand, if you get the 

 better of him it may so cow him that it will 

 be a long time before he gets out of the sulks, 

 or he may be a ' slug ' and mean-spirited horse 

 for the remainder of his days. Therefore avoid 

 making him worse, for if you only give him 



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