The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 67 pages of information about The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses.

The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 67 pages of information about The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses.
to take Mr. Powel’s method at first, till you gentle him, which he says takes from two to six hours.  But, as I want to accomplish the same, and what is much more, learn the horse to lead in less than one hour, I shall give you a much quicker process of accomplishing the same end.  Accordingly, when you have entered the stable, stand still and let your horse look at you a minute or two, and as soon as he is settled in one place, approach him slowly, with both arms stationary, your right hanging by your side, holding the whip as directed, and the left bent at the elbow, with your hand projecting.  As you approach him, go not too much towards his head or croop, so as not to make him move either forward or backward, thus keeping your horse stationary, if he does move a little forward or backward, step a little to the right or left very cautiously; this will keep him in one place, as you get very near him, draw a little to his shoulder, and stop a few seconds.  If you are in his reach he will turn his head and smell at your hand, not that he has any preference for your hand, but because that it is projecting, and is the nearest portion of your body to the horse.  This all colts will do, and they will smell of your naked hand just as quick as they will of any thing that you can put in it, and with just as good an effect, however much some men have preached the doctrine of taming horses by giving them the scent articles from the hand.  I have already proved that to be a mistake.  As soon as he touches his nose to your hand, caress him as before directed, always using a very light, soft hand, merely touching the horse, all ways rubbing the way the hair lays, so that your hand will pass along as smoothly as possible.  As you stand by his side you may find it more convenient to rub his neck or the side of his head, which will answer the same purpose, as rubbing his forehead.  Favor every inclination of the horse to smell or touch you with his nose.  Always follow each touch or communication of this kind with the most tender and affectionate caresses, accompanied with a kind look, and pleasant word of some sort, such as:  Ho! my little boy, ho! my little boy, pretty boy, nice lady! or something of that kind, constantly repeating the same words, with the same kind, steady tone of voice; for the horse soon learns to read the expression of the face and voice, and will know as well when fear, love or anger, prevails as you know your own feelings; two of which, fear and anger, a good horseman should never feel.

HOW TO PROCEED IF YOUR HORSE IS OF A STUBBORN DISPOSITION.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.