THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 121 



A lies still hold his head still by sitting on it. When completely sub- 

 dued, stroke his head, rub him on various parts of the body, soothe and 

 caress him, and especially handle him wherever he is disposed to b« 

 touchy, being careful always to be on your guard, that if he resist he 

 may be immediately checked. 



Show him a buffalo robe, an umbrella, or anything he would be likely 

 to frighten at, and always let him smell it until satisfied. Sit on his side, 

 handle his feet, tap them, and at last remove the straps from his feet, 

 and continue to fondle him. If he attempt to rise hold down his head 

 firmly, and bend up one fore-leg. If he get the advantage do not struggle 

 with him but let him rise to his feet again. Lay him down until he 

 gives completely up. He will soon come to lie down quietly at the 

 word, simply by tving up one foot, and at last will do so at your 

 bidding without tying. When down and quiet pass your hand repeatedly 

 over his body, breathe in his nostrils, gently open his mouth, give 

 him soothing words, and when on his feet give him a taste of some- 

 thing he likes. 



This is substantially Rarey's plan, and it may be practiced successfully 

 on very vicious horses, as we have done. As a rule, however, the direc- 

 tions previously given will be found to be fully effectual in bredking 

 «olt 



XII. How to Train to the Saddle. 



No person should attempt to break a horse to the saddle unless he be a 

 thorough horseman himself. It is not sufficient that he be able to stick 

 on a horse's back with or without a saddle. He must be able to do so, 

 ftnd without aid from the bridle, when the horse is undergoing any of the 

 movements likely to occur when on his feet. The bridle is used simply 

 to steady a horse under certain circumstances, and as a signal to guide 

 him. If the trainer be not able to ride thus, and with ease to himself aad 

 the horse,. he has no business as a trainer. 



Walking. — A fast walk is the most valuable of all the gaits of the 

 horse. To walk rapidly is the first and most persistent of the lessons to 

 be given. To teach a horse to walk fast the head must be kept moder- 

 ately well up, and yet but little real weight should be borne on the bridle 

 —only just enough to assist the swaying motion and nodding head always 

 exhibited in fast walking. During the acquirement of this gait, no other 

 should be aliowed, and when the horse shows signs of fatigue, the lesson 

 should end. In this, the seat of the rider is important, it should be easy 

 and with sufficient grip of the limbs to steady the rider, and with play of 

 the lowar part of the legs to keep the horse well up to his work, and assist 



