| A question that often gets asked a lot from beginner | | | | disposed to follow you anywhere, and unwilling to |
| horse trainer is: "How do I get my horse to lie down?" | | | | leave you on any occasion. |
| Some think that it's some kind of advanced technique | | | | Unless the horse be wild, the first treatment will be all |
| that takes a while to master, but this isn't so. Just | | | | sufficient; but should he be too fractious to be |
| follow these simple steps and you should be able to | | | | approached in a manner necessary to perform the |
| get just about any horse to relax and lie down. | | | | first named operation, this you will find effectual, and |
| Approach the horse gently upon the left side, fasten a | | | | you may then train your horse to harness or anything |
| strap around the ankle of his fore-foot; and then raise | | | | else with the utmost ease. |
| the foot gently, so as to bring the knee against the | | | | In breaking horses for harness, after giving the |
| breast and the foot against the belly. The leg being in | | | | powders, put the harness on gently, without startling |
| this position, fasten the strap around his arm, which will | | | | him, and pat him gently, then fasten the chain to a log, |
| effectually prevent him from putting that foot to the | | | | which he will draw for an indefinite length of time. |
| ground again. Then fasten a strap around the opposite | | | | When you find him sufficiently gentle, place him to a |
| leg, and bring it over his shoulder, on the left side, so | | | | wagon or other vehicle. |
| that you can catch hold of it; then push these gently, | | | | Take note to be extremely careful in catching a horse, |
| and when he goes to fall, pull the strap, which will bring | | | | not to frighten him. After he is caught, and the |
| him on his knees. | | | | powders given, rub him gently on the head, neck, back |
| Now commence patting him under the belly; by | | | | and legs, and on each side of the eyes, the way the |
| continuing your gentle strokes upon the belly, you will, in | | | | hair lies, but be very careful not to whip, for a young |
| a few minutes, bring him to his knees behind. Continue | | | | horse is equally passionate with you, and this pernicious |
| the process, and he will lie entirely down, and submit | | | | practice has ruined many fine and valuable horses. |
| himself wholly to your treatment. By thus proceeding | | | | When you are riding a colt (or even an old horse), do |
| gently, you may handle his feet and legs in any way | | | | not whip him if he scares, but draw the bridle, so that |
| you choose. | | | | his eye may rest upon the object which has affrighted |
| However wild and fractious a horse may be naturally, | | | | him, and pat him upon the neck as you approach it; by |
| after practicing this process a few times, you will find | | | | this means you will pacify him, and render him less |
| him perfectly gentle and submissive, and even | | | | liable to start in future. |