FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



will if " between your legs " as he should be, just try 

 again, and let him see now that his comrade on the 

 other side is walking away from him. Never speak 

 to him, and, above all, do not clap him on neck or 

 shoulder to reassure him ; reward follows only per- 

 formance. Now, somehow or other, he is over 

 the obstacle (of course you are only asking for 

 about three feet). This is your time for caress, 

 and as you refrained before, accord it now. Jump 

 off and make much of him at once, and bring 

 the other horse back to him. How has he per- 

 formed the feat ? His brain has figured out that 

 he must use his hind-quarters. He has done it, 

 and immediately is with his friend. The points 

 for caressing are the brain, the hind-qaarters, and 

 loin, and don t for one moment imagine that he does ii t 

 understand. Never caress him if he falls or 

 bungles ; he reached his companion, which is 

 what he was trying to do, and the fall was an acci- 

 dent, but the first time he lands clear, do your 

 duty, and forthwith he is half-schooled. " Now 

 I see," he says to himself; " this curious creature 

 who has always dominated and cared for me, ex- 

 pects me to get clean over these things, and, as I 

 bruise my shins if I don't, and get petted if I do, 

 I '11 do my best to save myself pain, and give him 



i68 



