I may mention, that the pluckier a horse is, the more amenable will he be to instruction.
In teaching these tricks, it is well to accustom the animal to some invariable and suitable signal, whether vocal, or manual, for each separate feat; and to award his obedience by a piece of carrot, lump of sugar, crust of bread, bite of lucern, bit of sugar-cane, caress, or other appropriate mark of approval.
“Begging.”—The horse may be taught to “beg”—that is, to stand with one fore-leg bent and off the ground—by attaching a strap, or cord, to the pastern of that limb, and, then, pulling up the foot, while at the same time, repeating the word “beg!” After a little, a cutting whip, or cane, to tap the leg, may be substituted for the cord.
Bowing.—While standing at the animal’s shoulder, lightly prick him on the breast with a pin; so as to make him bend his neck, and bite at the offending object. He will, thus, soon learn to make his bow, at the mere advance of the hand in the direction of the indicated part.
Circling steadily for circus-work.—Fix the horse’s head in position, so as to obtain adequate control, by side-reins; and circle the horse in the ring, with the long reins (see [page 172]), until he learns to canter round, at a steady, uniform rate of speed. Gradually dispense with the use of the long reins.
Coming up to call.—We may make the horse come up to us, when we call him, in two ways: 1. By getting him to stand still in the manner described on [page 86]; and making him come up, by threatening him with the whip, alternately, on either side. In this way, he can be taught to come up, by, simply, holding up the whip. 2. By the use of the Comanche bridle (see Figs. 49, 50, and 51), in making the horse turn round towards one, first, at one side, and, then, on the other; always accompanying the pull of the cord, with the words, “Come here!” or some similar expression. Mr. C. G. Frasier taught me this method.
Following.—See preceding paragraph.
Jumping over another Horse, etc.—Let us suppose that we want to make one horse stand
