The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



well to give him his first experience there, 

 preparatory to work outside, because it is 

 so easy to stop him, and it is most important 

 to teach him to slow down, or to stop dead, 

 at your direction. 



Do not be in a hurry to mount by the stir- 

 rup. Dismount by it several times first, so 

 that he becomes accustomed to the lop-sided 

 weight. As you lead him about the yard on 

 foot, stop and put all the weight you can on 

 the near stirrup by your hand. Do this a 

 number of times. Put a box near a corner of 

 the vard, so that by standing on it you get a 

 lift. "^ 



The horse's head should face the corner, 

 so that he can't go forward. Stand on the 

 box and try your foot in the stirrup several 

 times, putting more and more weight on it. 

 With your foot in the stirrup, lean over the 

 saddle and put weight on it. Do it several 

 times, and, when he stands perfectly quiet, 

 take the opportunity to put your leg across 

 and seat yourself. Sit there and play with 

 him. Don't move awa}^ Get oS on to the 

 box and seat yourself again. Do it a number 

 of times. You are teaching him to under- 

 stand that this kind of exercise is to be per- 

 formed on his back while he stands quite still. 

 Mount in this way for two or three days before 

 attempting to mount him from the ground. It 

 is a very important lesson and should be 



68 



