380 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



The work horse should be taught few words, and each 

 should stand for a definite action. Six words will answer 

 all practical purposes, and it is important that the horse 

 be thoroughly trained to obey each. "Whoa" means to 

 stop and stand still ; "get up," to go forward ; "back," to 

 move backward ; "steady," to give attention ; "haw," to 

 go to the left ; and "gee" means to go to the right. 



Hitching and driving.— As soon as the horse obeys the 

 commands he should be harnessed and hitched. To 

 familiarize him with the pressure of the shafts he should 

 first be poled. To do this, procure a light pole five or six 

 feet long, and let the horse smell and feel it with his nose. 

 Then gently rub the pole over the nose, face, neck and 

 the entire body, especially along the inside and outside of 

 the fore and hind legs. 



If at all convenient, the first time the horse is hitched, 

 a training cart — one with long shafts, substantially con- 

 structed, and the seat so arranged that the driver can get 

 off and on quickly — should be employed. Before attach- 

 ing to the vehicle, the horse should be made thoroughly 

 familiar with it. To do this, lead the horse up to the rig 

 and allow him to smell and feel the shafts. Rub them 

 along his head, neck, shoulders, body and legs. Now the 

 horse may be attached with perfect safety, although a 

 kick strap should be employed at first. 



Training the horse to objects of fear. — After the horse 

 drives smoothly he should be made familiar with the 

 various sounds and objects he is likely to meet, particu- 

 larly along the busy thoroughfares of cities. To famil- 

 iarize the horse with a street car, choose a road or street 

 where the car line crosses, drive the horse up to within 

 100 yards of the track and stop until the car passes. If 

 he seems nervous, caress him. Drive over the track an 

 equal distance and stop while another car passes. This 

 time the noise is in the rear. Repeat this process, work- 

 ing the horse closer as each car passes. In a similar manner 

 familiarize him with other objects that cause him fright. 



