TRICKS OF PERFORMING HORSES, AND HOW THEY ARE TAUGHT.
Horses may be taught many amusing tricks, some of which are really
wonderful. For teaching horses tricks the implements known as the Rarey
straps are requisite, to teach the animal to lie down, etc. The piebald
or spotted horses are generally supposed by trainers to be more
tractable as well as to possess more talent than others.
THE SHORT AND LONG STRAPS.
A common breaching strap is used to strap up the foot. For using, open
the loop, keeping the buckle on the outside, put the loop over foot,
then raise foot and pass the strap around the fore-arm from the inside,
and buckle it tight; this holds the foot up firmly. The _long_ strap is
the one which buckles around the foot. To a ring in this is buckled
another strap seven or eight feet long. This is attached to the right
foot and passes under the girth, or over the back. Its use is to raise
the foot when you wish to bring the horse upon his knees.
[Illustration: THE SHORT AND THE LONG STRAPS.]
[Illustration: THE SHORT STRAP IN USE.]
[Illustration: TEACHING THE HORSE TO LIE DOWN.]
[Illustration: THE APPLICATION OF BOTH STRAPS.]
Bend his left fore leg and slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it
down. Then put a surcingle around his body, and fasten one end of the
long strap around the other fore leg, just above the hoof. Place the
other end under the surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the right
direction; take a short hold of it with your right hand; stand on the
left side of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull steadily
on the strap with your right; bear against his shoulder till you cause
him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling will raise the
other foot, and he will come on his knees. Keep the strap tight in your
hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg if he rises up. Hold him in
this position, and turn his head toward you; bear against his side with
your shoulder, not hard, but with a steady, equal pressure, and in about
ten minutes he will lie down. As soon as he lies down he will be
completely conquered, and you can handle him as you please. Take off the
straps, and straighten out his legs; rub him lightly about the face and
neck with your hand the way the hair lies; handle all his legs, and
after he has lain ten or twenty minutes, let him get up again. After
resting him a short time, make him lie down as before. Repeat the
operation three or four times, which will be sufficient for one lesson.
Give him two lessons a day, and when you have given him four lessons, he
will lie down on your taking hold of one foot. As soon as he is well
broken to lie down in this way, tap him on the opposite leg with a whip
when you take hold of his foot, and in a few days he will lie down from
the mere motion of the whip.
[Illustration: BRINGING THE HORSE TO HIS KNEES.]
[Illustration: PREPARING TO LIE DOWN.]
Use great gentleness during the operation. Compel the horse to comply
with your wishes, but do not frighten or excite him.
[Illustration: THE HORSE LYING DOWN.]
TO TEACH A HORSE TO SIT UP.
A common winding-up of the “grand entree” which usually commences the
performances at most circuses, is for the horses of all the riders to
lie down at the word of command, and at another command, to sit up on
their haunches. The lying down part we have already explained; the
getting up is taught by Jennings as follows:
“Lay the animal down as previously directed, having a collar upon him;
place a hobble or strap, with a ring in it, around each hind foot; take
a pair of ordinary driving lines, pass the buckle end through the collar
back to the ring in the hobble, and buckle them; pull the feet up toward
the shoulders, and carry the lines back to the hind quarters, hold them
firmly in one hand, or give them to an assistant. Have a bridle with a
long rein upon the animal; take the rein in your hand, stand upon the
tail, and pull upon the bridle rein, keeping the lines firm at the same
time; this brings him up in front, and prevents his getting his hind
feet back far enough to rise upon them, they being drawn forward and
securely held by the lines.”
KICKING AT WORD OF COMMAND.
Jennings gives the following instructions for teaching horses a very
common trick performed at circus exhibitions:
“Care must be taken in teaching this trick, that you have a horse not
predisposed to vicious propensities, or you may make a confirmed kicker;
and then you will have the habit to break-up. A horse of a mild
disposition may be taught to perform thus without the risk of his
becoming a kicker. I have taught one of my ponies to kick when I desire
him to do so, and he cannot be made to kick unless the whip is used
lightly upon his hind parts. Having selected your animal, take a pin in
your right hand, prick the near hind leg with it and say, ‘Kick with the
left foot;’ the animal soon learns to obey. Then proceed with the
opposite leg in the same manner. After the horse will kick, with either
foot, by a motion of the hand without pricking him you will stand off a
short distance, with a long whip in your hand; touch the near hind foot
and say, ‘Kick with the left foot;’ then proceed in the same manner with
the right foot. By proceeding thus once a day the animal will soon learn
to do his part very nicely.”
TALKING HORSES.
If neatly managed one of the most “taking” performances of the “arena”
is the answering of questions by the horse. Yankee Robinson has a very
fine animal, who replies to his master’s interrogations with much
_seeming_ judiciousness. Horses may be taught to shake and nod their
heads as negative or affirmative replies, in either of two ways. The
first method of training is this: Take your position at the horse’s head
with a pin in your hand. Gently prick the animal’s breast. The horse
bobs his head, just as he would had a fly alighted on the spot. Repeat
the operation several times, each time caressing him, and perhaps
rewarding him with a bit of apple occasionally. He will soon learn to
nod his head on merely having the hand pointed toward his breast, or he
may be trained to do the same by a motion of the foot. To teach the
horse to shake his head it is only necessary to prick him slightly
anywhere along the mane or over the withers. After a little teaching he
will do so on your raising your hand to your head, a motion whose
connection with the horse’s action will scarcely be suspected by the
audience.
The second method is by pricking his breast at the same moment that you
say “yes,” or any other particular word; and by pricking his withers at
the same time you say the word “no.” He will soon learn to make the
desired motion on hearing the word, even though no motion whatever is
made. When exhibiting, the questions should be asked first, and
immediately after the signal given to the horse. He, of course, knows
nothing of the question, but obeys a definite command, just as he would
if ordered to “back” or “whoa.”
Madame Tournaire, who performed her horse by the first method, had a way
of coquettishly toying with her whip, and would give the horse the
requisite signals by what the public imagined to be a mere display of
feminine grace.
Where the horse obeys a _word_, that word must be incorporated into the
question asked, in such a way as to attract his attention. If used too
near the commencement of the sentence he will reply before the question
is out of your mouth. It is not necessary to use the _exact_ word that
he “works” by, provided it sounds to him like it; thus, Yankee Robinson
says to his horse during the performance, “I guess you’re as handsome a
fellow as these ladies and gentlemen ever saw—don’t you _guess_ so?” The
horse nods his head at the emphasized word “guess,” supposing it to be
his command “yes.” The next question, perhaps, is, “But others _know_
the most?” In this case the horse, not being posted on Webster, and
being guided by the sound, gives his head a negative shake, considering
“no” and “know” synonymous.
[Illustration: PERFORMING PONIES.]
TEACHING HORSES TO JUMP.
Colts should not be trained in jumping until at least four years old.
Until this age the muscles and sinews are too pliable, and there is
danger of the animal being strained. It is better never to urge a horse
to attempt a leap which he cannot readily accomplish, for severe injury
might result from his striking his feet, besides any failure to perform
the leap will discourage him.
The bar should at first be placed very low and only raised very
gradually. About knee high or less will do to commence with. Commence
the instructions by letting one man lead the colt, while another man
follows with a whip. The former walks over the bar encouraging the colt
with his voice to follow. The man with the whip is only to prevent the
horse backing, the whip should never be applied unless the animal is
positively restive. With a little coaxing he will soon go over, and
having once done so, he will readily repeat it. A few pieces of apple
may be advantageously used to induce him to leap the bar, and to reward
him for doing so. By using the word “hip” or any other as he jumps, he
may be taught to make the leap on hearing it. This is the common method
for horses in the ring.
The first lesson should be confined to the standing or walking leap, and
if the horse is led half a dozen times over in the manner described this
will suffice for the first day. The next day he may be trotted up to it,
or more lessons may be devoted to teaching him to leap at command. With
each succeeding lesson the bar may be raised until it is as high as the
horse’s breast, but beyond this there is no necessity with common
animals intended merely for private riding. Neither should the horse be
wearied and disgusted with too long lessons. When perfect in his lessons
a boy may be placed upon his back to ride him over. The boy must be a
good rider, for should the horse stop suddenly at the bar and throw his
rider the maneuver will be repeated. A sack containing a couple of
bushels of corn is sometimes used instead of the boy, but the boy is
better.
TO MAKE A HORSE STAND ERECT.
[Illustration: STANDING ERECT.]
To make a horse stand upon his hind feet it is only necessary to compel
him to rear up, and then to keep him in that position by gently striking
him with the whip either under the fore-arm or under the chin. At first
it will be necessary to allow him to resume his natural position after
standing erect for a moment or two, but in a little while he will learn
to keep his balance for a considerable time. Care should be taken not to
excite or keep him in the erect position too long at first. There is
also some danger of his falling over backward if too urgently pressed.
Ponies may be placed upon their hind feet by lifting them up by the
reins, taking hold under the chin close to the bit. By giving the
command, “Erect up,” when teaching the animal to take the required
position, he may be taught to do so at this command, or he will soon
learn to stand up by merely being tapped lightly under the chin. Now
give him a few pieces of apple, and by holding out pieces of apple or
other “horse” dainties, you may teach him to follow you walking erect.
TO “PIROUETTE.”
“Pirouetting” consists merely in the horse turning around while standing
erect upon his hind feet. He may be taught to do this very easily,
either by coaxing him to turn by the use of pieces of apple, or by
gentle taps upon the cheek. He soon learns to turn at a circular sweep
of the whip or at the command to “Pirouette.” This action is the same as
is made use of when a horse is supposed to “waltz.”
THE PEDESTAL.
[Illustration: PEDESTAL TRICK.]
One of the most common tricks displayed in circuses, and one which is
usually hailed with applause, is what is termed the “pedestal” trick. A
stout platform is used, to which is attached a wooden “drum” some two
feet in hight, out of which projects a wooden rod or post at a slight
angle. The horse first steps upon the platform, then places one fore
foot upon the drum, and lastly places his other fore foot upon the point
of the projecting post. In this position a handsome animal forms a
really beautiful picture, and the effect is sometimes enhanced by having
a number of men raise the platform upon their shoulders, and bear the
horse, high up above the heads of the spectators, like some equestrian
statue, around the ring.
To teach this trick some patience is necessary but the method is quite
simple. The horse is first led upon the platform several times, being
allowed to remain a moment or more each time. He will soon understand
when brought into the vicinity of the platform that he is to take his
position upon it. Now compel him to raise his foot, and as he attempts
to put it down again, guide it with your hand to the required position
upon the drum. After a few times he will place it upon the drum of his
own accord on being made to raise it. Then in the same manner make him
raise the other foot and place it upon the post. This is the most
difficult part of the performance on account of the post presenting only
a slight foothold, and the horse having only limited power to guide his
foot to this position; it is also quite difficult to make the hoof
retain its hold even after the right position is gained. After the horse
thoroughly understands what is wanted of him he will go through the
performance without prompting, for the sight of the platform suggests to
him the desired actions. The “carrying around” part is, of course,
strictly a ring performance which few persons would care to undertake
for private amusement, but if the horse is gentle and has been taught to
have entire confidence in his master, and to obey him implicitly, there
is little difficulty in this part of the exhibition if done with care.
TO TEACH A HORSE TO KISS.
Give the horse a few pieces of apple from your hand, then place a piece
between your teeth, letting it project so that the horse can readily
seize it. When he has become used to taking the apple in this way, say,
“Kiss,” or “Kiss me,” to him each time before putting the apple in your
mouth, and he will by and by put his mouth to your lips at this command.
In every case he should be rewarded by a piece of apple, for, to him,
“kiss me” means apple, and if he is deceived in getting it he will not
so readily obey.
TO MAKE A HORSE FETCH AND CARRY.
For this purpose a small basket or some light article which he can
easily seize with his mouth, should be used. Place the handle in his
mouth and shut his mouth upon it. Should he drop it when you remove your
hand, speak sharply to him, and replace it in his mouth. When he retains
it you are to let it remain a few moments, then remove it, pat him,
speak encouragingly to him, and reward him. In a short time offer it to
him again saying, “Take it,” and he will probably do so; if not place it
his mouth and repeat the course already described. When he has learned
to take the basket on its being offered, let him follow you around with
it in his mouth; then let some one else give it to him while you stand
at a distance; now call him toward you and reward him for bringing it to
you. He will thus learn in a short time to bring you any article given
him. After this, place the basket upon the ground, call his attention to
it, order him to “take it,” and he probably will obey, if not, place it
in his mouth and repeat the instruction until he will pick it up from
the ground. Then a handkerchief or other article may be substituted for
the basket, which articles he will soon understand are to be picked up
also. He will soon learn to pick up anything you may drop in his
presence, or to seize hold of any article that may be offered him, and
this latter act may be applied to many tricks, as hereafter described.
FINDING A HIDDEN HANDKERCHIEF.
Having taught the horse to pick up any article dropped in his presence,
take a handkerchief and cover it partially with loose earth, leaving it
sufficiently exposed for him to readily seize it. Repeat the operation,
each time covering the handkerchief more and more completely until it is
entirely concealed. He will by this means be led to look for it even
when it is entirely covered up. An assistant may now hold his hands over
the horse’s eyes while the handkerchief is being concealed. Before an
audience this adds to the credit of the performance, but as the
handkerchief is hidden in nearly the same place, the horse knows where
to look for it and will soon unearth it. Even when hidden at the option
of the spectator it is easy to indicate to the horse where to look, by a
signal, or his sense of smell will lead him to the spot. Oil of rhodium
is said by some to be employed in this trick, to guide the animal to the
hidden article. This may be true in some cases but the horse can so
easily be taught to accomplish the thing desired without its use that we
doubt its being used to any considerable extent.
Another plan adopted for teaching this trick is the following: Spread on
the sawdust a white cloth containing a liberal supply of oats, lead the
animal around the ring and let him take some of the oats. This is lesson
first; its object being to fix in the horse’s mind a connection between
the cloth and the oats. The march around the circle being once or twice
repeated, he stops at the handkerchief as a matter of course. By dint of
practice, say in a couple of weeks, he will learn to stop as readily in
a trot or a gallop as in a walk. After a time the handkerchief must be
doubled over and tied in a knot; the animal shakes it to get at the
grain, but not succeeding, lifts it from the ground, which is just the
thing wanted. When the horse has done this a few times, and finds that
though he can shake nothing out he will receive a handful of oats as a
reward, he may be trusted to perform in public.
TO SELECT A CHOSEN CARD.
In performing this trick in public one of the audience is allowed to
choose a card from the pack, and this card, with several others is
thrown on the ground. The horse is then asked by his master to select
the chosen card from among them, and to give it to the person who chose
it. This sounds like quite a difficult feat, especially, as is usually
the case, if he has had his eyes blindfolded while the selection of the
card was being made.
Having taught the horse to find and pick up the handkerchief it is very
easy to substitute any other article in its place. If a card should be
substituted it would be picked up just as anything else would be. The
main difficulty is to teach the horse to pick the one desired from among
the others, and that one only. To do this, spread half a dozen cards
upon the ground at intervals of about ten feet. Let the horse go to one
end of this line of cards. He will naturally stop at the first one he
comes to, and, if left to himself, will pick it up. Instead of allowing
him to do this, start him ahead with the voice using the term “Get up,”
or any other which he has been taught means “go ahead.” Do this until he
reaches the card which you desire him to pick up, at this you must
remain silent unless he is about to pass it by like the former ones, in
which case you say “Whoa,” and keep him standing before it until he
picks it up. When he does this, reward him and speak encouragingly to
him, that he may know he has done what you wished. If you make a
practice of speaking to him when he stops at the wrong cards, and of
keeping silent when he reaches the right one he will soon come to
understand that “silence gives consent,” and that _that_ is the proper
card to select. The order in which the chosen card is placed in the row
should be varied so that the horse may not learn to select the card by
its _position_ instead of obeying your signal. This enables you to let
your auditors place the cards in any position or order their fancy may
dictate without interfering at all with the successful “working” of the
horse.
After he has learned to select the desired card without hesitation, he
must be so taught that he will hand it to the person who may have
selected it, when he comes to perform in public. To teach him this, have
an assistant stationed at some distance from you, and when the horse
comes to you with the card, instead of taking it from him as you have
been accustomed to do, turn his head in the direction of your assistant
and start him up. He will go to the assistant if the latter holds out
his hand, and, perhaps, whistles to him. Pretty soon the whistling may
be dispensed with, and he will carry the card in any direction indicated
in search of some one to receive it. When he comes to perform in the
ring he will go around the edge looking for somebody to whom he may
relinquish the card. The proper person will probably hold out his hand
to take it, but a hundred others will quite as certainly do the same
thing. Now if the horse selects the right person in spite of the other
claimants to lead him astray, a round of applause is pretty sure to
crown his success. To insure this he should be taught to relinquish the
card at some particular signal given by the trainer. A cough will
answer, or any _word_ which can be incorporated into a sentence
addressed to him, without being detected by the audience. We have given
sufficient instruction on this point in preceding pages, we believe, to
enable the trainer to use his own discretion as to the manner of
associating the signal with the giving-up of the card, in the horse’s
mind.
TO FIRE OFF A PISTOL.
[Illustration: FIRING OFF THE PISTOL.]
In performing this trick the pistol (unloaded) should be firmly secured
to a post or some other convenient support, as high as the horse can
conveniently reach. To the trigger attach a small wisp of hay by a
string, so arranged that by pulling at the hay the pistol will go off.
Lead the horse up to this, that the savory morsel may attract his
attention. He will probably pull at the hay, and in his efforts to get
it, will pull the trigger. Let him eat the hay, and repeat the operation
several times, patting and speaking kindly to him each time. Now attach
a piece of rag to the trigger instead of the hay; show it to him and
induce him to take hold of it. Every time he pulls at it, and makes the
hammer click, reward him with a piece of apple. When he has become used
to pulling the rag when it is shown him, the pistol may be capped. The
explosion of the cap may startle him somewhat at first; but gentle
treatment and a little encouragement will soon banish his fears,
especially if the noise of the explosion be only slight, which would be
desirable. When he will snap caps without hesitation a small charge of
powder may be tried. A heavy charge only makes a nuisance of the trick,
and should only be used when displaying before an audience; even then
the desirableness of such a proceeding is very questionable.
TO TEACH A HORSE TO DANCE.
A horse may be taught to dance thus: Fasten the animal with two
side-reins between the posts supporting the leaping bar. Take a whip,
and, as the music plays, gently touch him with it, using the “jik, jik,”
of the groom as you go on. The horse being tied to the posts can move
neither backward nor forward, but he will be induced to lift his legs
and thereby gain the rudimentary movement of his lesson. After a while
the teacher must mount on his back; the horse being fastened by the side
reins. Just when he is to raise his leg, a gentle pull must be given to
the rein at the proper side to help the movement. In course of time the
reins must be loosened, and the horse, if tolerably ready, will soon
learn to mark time, quick or slow, in answer merely to a slight jerk of
the bridle. The rider must then dismount, and coming before the horse,
teach him to dance, or keep time, with a wave of the hand, or by a pat
on the foot which he is wanted to lift.
It may be remarked here that, though the dancing horses at the circuses
appear to keep time with the music of the band, it is really, in most
cases, the band that accommodates its music to the movements of the
horse.
TO EAT AT TABLE.
An amusing scene often enacted in the ring is to have a horse seated on
his haunches before a table, while the clown obsequiously serves him. A
bell is attached to the table, so arranged that the horse can ring it by
pulling at a bit of rag, and as the horse is almost continually ringing
the bell, and the clown makes apparently frantic efforts to answer this
summons each time, while bringing in plates, etc., a vast amount of
laughter is usually created. The same instructions which we have given
in previous pages relative to sitting down, firing off the pistol, etc.,
will apply to this trick. It is usual, when the table is finally set,
for the clown to seat himself opposite the horse and pretend to share
his meal. As the food commonly consists of hay pies, with brown paper
crusts, the actual eating, we presume, is generally confined to the
horse, but the fun is much increased by the clown taking a huge mouthful
of hay, as though intensely hungry, and the horse then snatching it from
his mouth, and devouring it himself. This latter feat is a mere
modification of the kissing trick, where he takes the piece of apple
from the trainer’s mouth.
[Illustration: AN EQUESTRIAN EPICURE.]
TO TURN A HAND ORGAN.
This feat may be easily accomplished by the application of the plan
already described, which we may term the “pistol principle.” After the
horse has learned to take hold readily of anything offered to him, which
knowledge he will have acquired if he has already learned to perform the
tricks heretofore mentioned, the only additional instruction necessary
will be to initiate him into the mysteries of _turning_ the handle. When
he has taken hold of the handle, gently move his head so as to produce
the desired motion. If, when you let go of his head, he ceases the
motion, speak sharply to him and put his head again in motion. With
almost any horse a few lessons, and judicious rewards when he does what
is required, will accomplish the object, and he will soon both be able
and willing to grind out Old Dog Tray, or Norma, if not in exact time at
least with as much correctness as many performers on this instrument.
Some time since there was a horse connected with Franconi’s circus in
Paris, whose education had progressed finely until the organ was
reached, as it was in due course of time; this appeared to be the
stumbling block in his progress.
[Illustration: THE HAND ORGAN PERFORMANCE.]
It seems that the horse in question had already, under the lessons of
his master, developed an unusual degree of intelligence, his eyes in
particular becoming so full of expression that one could hardly doubt
that he understood very much of what was said to him. His master had
great hopes of him; he had been in training only a year, and he had
already learned to lie down and get up as ordered, to enact the dead
horse, to fire a pistol, and to give whichever of his fore hoofs was
asked for. At length the professor began the task of teaching this
promising pupil to turn a barrel organ; but either this particular
species of exercise was repugnant to his tastes, or the sound of the
organ was disagreeable to his ears. Certain it was that the animal,
usually so docile, was resolute in his refusal to touch the handle of
the barrel organ. His preceptor labored at this point for a month
without being able to vanquish the repugnance of the horse for the
object so constantly presented to his attention. Coaxing, caresses, and
the whip were employed in turn, and equally without success. On these
occasions the horse’s eyes expressed as clearly as though he had spoken
it in so many words the absolute determination not to touch the handle
of the organ. The trainer, though naturally of a violent temper, was
always patient and gentle with his equine pupil. Whenever he felt that
the obstinacy of the horse was on the point of getting the better of his
apparent calmness, he would leave the stable to give vent to his
irritation out of the sight or hearing of the animal. To those who
prophesied that the horse would never turn the handle of the organ, he
replied, “He shall turn or die.” At length, perceiving that he made no
progress in the work of vanquishing the animal’s obstinacy, he caused
the windows of the stable to be stuffed with hay and then boarded over,
so that not a ray of light was visible, and a couple of men, hired for
the purpose, beat a drum incessantly beside the animal’s stall,
relieving one another at stated intervals. The struggle was continued
for four days and nights, during which the professor returned to the
charge once every hour, presenting the handle of the organ to his
refractory pupil, renewing his command to the latter to take hold of it.
The neighborhood was beginning to threaten the trainer with a summons
before the police court, to answer to the charge of disturbing its
slumbers with the perpetual beating of the horrible drum, which the
unfortunate horse, comprehending at last that there was no other chance
of deliverance left to him, suddenly seized the handle of the organ with
his teeth and turned with all the little strength that was left to him.
Daylight was at once restored to the stable, the drummers were
dismissed, all possible caresses and the finest oats were lavished on
the now docile scholar, who never forgot the terrible lesson of his four
days struggle, but, whatever may have been the sentiments with which he
regarded the operation, never failed vigorously to turn the handle of
the barrel organ whenever the word of command was given.
TO FEIGN LAMENESS.
To teach a horse this trick requires a greater decree of labor and
perseverance than is necessary to instruct him in almost any other. So
wearisome is the task, and so long is the time required in its
accomplishment, that in ordinary cases it is not worth attempting. We
propose, however, in this little work to tell all that there is to be
told about our subject, even though most of our readers should find many
things impracticable in their own cases; and it is well worth while to
explain all these matters though it be only to gratify the curiosity
which is very naturally felt. An uninitiated person would probably be
entirely at a loss how to set about accomplishing this feat, and it is
doubtful whether he would succeed in discovering the secret of it
without assistance. The mystery is not such a very great matter after
all, and may be disclosed in a few words.
If you observe a really lame horse—if you haven’t any in your
neighborhood just visit New York and you will find some beautiful
specimens of the article—you will perceive that there is a constant
jerking or bobbing of his head, caused by his lowering it as he treads
upon the lame foot and raising it as he raises the foot again. Now the
_appearance_ of lameness is caused just as much by the motion of the
head as anything else, and a really sound horse, if he bobbed his head
as he lowered and raised a particular foot, would appear lame; in fact
he would actually go lame with this foot because the motion of his head
would compel him to tread more lightly on that than he did on the
others, exactly as in the case of the bona fide lameness. This is the
secret, and the trainer’s efforts are directed to producing this motion
of the head. To make a horse bob his head is a trifling matter, but to
make him do so every time he treads on one particular foot, and to do so
at the right moment, without hesitation or mistake, requires many weary
lessons, and a stock of patience equal to that popularly supposed to
have been possessed by the ancient Job.
Commence by taking the horse by the bridle, close to his mouth, and
walking him very slowly. Watch the foot with which you desire him to go
lame, and each time that it comes that foot’s turn to step, press the
horse’s head gently upward as he raises his foot, and downward as he
again places it on the ground. Let your motions be simultaneous with the
movement of the foot, proceeding so slowly that there is no danger of
becoming confused. By-and-by you may release your hold of the bridle and
make the motion with your hand, which he will soon obey. You may then
accompany the motion by any sound or word of command, and he will learn
finally to make the motion on hearing this sound.
A correspondent of an English journal lately described a pony in his
possession who in some way had picked up a knowledge of this trick and
applied it very acutely to his own advantage. The gentleman thus
describes the proceedings of the animal: “Whenever the pony had been
turned out to graze and was afterward brought up to be hitched into the
carriage, it invariably turned lame after going a few yards—so lame in
fact that I frequently turned back, being ashamed to drive an animal in
such apparent pain; I say apparent, because no sooner had the pony been
relieved of its harness than it used to canter around. The same pony
when brought from the stable would go perfectly well as long as it
wished, but when I drove it in any direction contrary to its inclination
it became lame immediately; as soon as its head was turned homeward the
lameness entirely disappeared.”
TO TEACH A HORSE TO WALK OVER YOU.
This trick is sometimes exhibited by persons desirous of displaying
either their own courage or the docility of their horses. There is a
natural aversion felt by horses, and indeed by most animals, to treading
on a living object. Few horses will, of their own accord, unless they
are under excitement, trample upon a child who may chance to be in the
way. Many instances are related of horses lifting infants from their
pathway and gently putting them down on one side, where they were out of
danger. It is therefore pretty safe to allow your horse to step over
you, while you lie upon the ground. To insure against accidents,
however, a little preliminary training is advisable. First, let an
assistant lead the horse over your legs while you are seated upon the
ground with those members extended. Then, after a few repetitions, lie
down at full length and let the assistant lead the horse over you in
various directions. Very soon the horse may be entrusted to walk over
you, merely guided by the snapping of your fingers in the direction you
desire him to go.
ORDINARY CIRCUS HORSES.
The common horses ridden by circus performers require some training
before they are available in the “circle,” though it is slight compared
with the instructions of the “trick” horses. The main thing is to break
them to trot evenly and steadily around the ring. They may be taught
this in an open field by attaching a line to the nose piece of the
halter, which line the trainer holds in his left hand while in his right
he has a long whip. Starting the horse, the trainer turns slowly as the
horse goes around; the line keeps the horse from going away from the
trainer in any direction and so forces him to go in a circle; the whip
is used to keep him at the proper distance from the man, and so preserve
always the same sized circle. The whip should be held on a level with
the horse’s shoulder and should be moved so as to accompany him around.
Subsequently the line may be removed and the horse will still follow the
circle pointed out by the whip, and increase or abate his speed to
correspond with its movements. The horse is then ready for the
rehearsals of the rider, and soon learns to preserve his pace unbroken,
regardless of the movements of the man upon his back.
[Illustration: BREAKING HORSE FOR THE “CIRCLE.”]