Young Folks

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 22, 26 August 1893, Page 5

Young Folks

BREAKING- A YOUNG- HORSE. I suppose that the horse which you are going to ride has never been ridden before —how shall you begin ? If he is an intelligent animal, well brought up, lie will probably allow you to mount him, provided that you do it very slowly and cautiously ; but if he be stupid or timid you can begin by having him carry a bag of oats. I lately had a horse that had thrown the only man who ever attempted to ride him, and when I prepared to get on he showed unmistakable signs of an intention to do the same with me So I called the oats into play. A bag half full, was tied up, and he was allowed to smell it. When an etroTfcr was made to put it on the saddle he showed excessive fear, but by proceeding gradually, and by soothing and coaxing him, we were soon able, first, to put it on gently, and at last to

throw it on the saddle without dis-. turbing him. At the next lesson, after going through the same process, the bag was tied to the saddle, and he first walked and afterwards trotted about with it on. I then put my foot in the stirrup, immed.ately withdrawing it, however, for he became alarmed. Then I tried again, and after a few atlemipts, finding that he was not hurt, he submitted. The next step was to raise myself in the stir nip, and this again alarmed him at first, but gradually he became accustomed to it, and at last 1 slowly and carefully put the other leg over, and in a few minutes more I was riding- him about. I do not think the whole lesson occupied more than twenty minutes. Of course the horse was held by a groom during the process. In mounting a young, green horse, you should be extremely pa.tient and gentle, lest you should get him into bad habits -which he might retain for the rest of his life. Remember that your object is not simply to get on his back, but to do it in such a way that mounting him will be an easier task the next time; Mount your horse .first in the stable, then close to the stable, and finally a month later, perhaps, in the open. If you are obliged to dismount on the road, and are doubtful of your ability to get back, lead the horse up to some building if you can find one, and if not, to a tree ora fence. It is astonishing what a difference the presence or absence of such a background makes. Be sure also to have a firm grasp on the reins, in case the horse should make a start just as you are mounting. Do not haul yourself up with the reins, but be prepared mentally, to pull up the horse if necessary. —Harper’s Young People.