Foreword 



most effectually overcome their tricks in the 

 arena, I learnt from several of the owners, 

 whose names and addresses he always an- 

 nounced, that, as I had expected, the effect 

 was only temporary and they could perceive 

 no permanent improvement. They had ex- 

 pected a permanent cure, without further 

 trouble to themselves, and were disappointed. 

 But in none of these cases did I hear of any 

 bad effect being produced. The tamer was 

 always wiUing to advise owners, who sent their 

 animals to his exhibition, exactly how to 

 treat them afterwards, and in the case of the 

 few who had taken the trouble to follow his 

 instructions closely, they spoke highly of the 

 prehminary treatment in the arena as being 

 the start of better behaviour, which they had 

 been able, by following the tamer's directions, 

 to make permanent. 



There is no doubt that show-taming, unless 

 followed by better and more intelligent treat- 

 ment of the horses by their attendants, is of 

 little service. In this book I endeavour to 

 impress upon the reader that the best way to 

 train a horse is by a multiplicity of little steps, 

 each of which is well within the brain capacity 

 of the horse to thoroughly understand ; and to 

 win his confidence and affection to such an 

 extent that, of his own volition, he will do 

 the things you want him to do. Everything is 

 difficult if the horse is in antagonism ; if he 



