DETAILS OF TEACHING. 285 



ride Tommy, or any other horse, as long as he pleased. At this turn in affairs a gen- 

 eral stir was manifested, which culminated in the most intense excitement. It was 

 proved that no ordinary man could ride the cunning little fellow, as shown by his 

 performances for weeks. But here was a trained athlete, that could turn a somer- 

 sault on a horse bare-back without being thrown ; would it be possible to throw 

 him ? There were serious apprehensions that he could not. Mr. Magner stood silent 

 a moment, with the reserve characteristic of him, contemplating the intruder, as if 

 to say, "You may, perhaps, do it, but not if I can prevent it ; " while the other stood 

 with folded arms, showing the most perfect confidence in himself. 



It was a scene worthy the brush of a painter. The immense throng present 

 were hushed into silence, waiting for the contest. A signal brought Tommy upon 

 a run. The whip was passed around his nose quietly, when the athlete was invited 

 to come forward, who, disdaining help, lightly bounded upon the pony's back ; but 

 before he had time to say Jack, Robinson, Tommy commenced a series of gyrations 

 that would astonish an Indian, and sent his man fully six feet into the air. It was 

 beautifully and grandly accomplished ; but would he, could he, do it again ? 



The trial was made, and, as before, the pony went into the air with the quick- 

 ness of lightning, and, after a little more prolonged effort, sent his man heavily to 

 the ground. But the contest was not yej; over. All the desperation that pride and 

 confidence could excite seemed to be now called into the actions of the man for a 

 final test. He mounted more carefully! and, with a grasp of iron, awaited the onset. 

 It soon came ; for Tommy, seeming to be now conscious of the task upon him, 

 twisted and turned and jumped as if a demon, his eyes flashing fire, until, with a 

 tremendous bound, he Sent the man high' in the air from his back, this time fully 

 vanquished. It was a grand performance. Many, with feelings of intense admira- 

 tion, crowded forward to caress the noble little fellow, while Mr. Magner seemed as 

 proud of his pet as if he had won a kingdom. It was the finest and most exciting 

 exhibition we ever witnessed.— Buffalo (N. T.) Courier. 



Driving without Reins. 



Thirty years ago driving a stallion without reins was regarded 

 as one of the most interesting feats of training ever exhibited. That 

 a spirited horse, or a span of them,;— stallions, — could be driven, 

 guided, and controlled by only a whip, seemed so remarkable that 

 people came in crowds many miles to see it done. Yet it is one of 

 the simplest feats of training, and one of the finest illustrations of 

 the ease with which even horses of naturally bad temper can be 

 made manageable when properly treated. I but refer to it heVe, as 

 the limited space at my disposal will not admit of giving the details 

 of this feat of training. Those specially interested- to learn it will 

 find full particulars in my work, " Facts for Horse-Owners." 



