Many horses are susceptible of an education far more extensive than is necessary for ordinary use, and for the benefit of such persons as may desire to teach their horses something more than the usual accomplishments, whether for their own amusement, or for the purpose of seeing how far the intelligence of the animal can be developed, I have prepared a description of a variety of tricks, which, as performed by my horses, have been received with universal applause, both in Canada and in the United States; to simplify which, I have, at considerable cost, procured plates, illustrating each of the tricks. But that no person may be misled into supposing that this forms a part of my general system of educating the horse, I deem it proper to present these directions separately.

Though the tricks to be hereafter illustrated and explained will add nothing of intrinsic value to the horse, nor of real benefit to his owner, yet the reader will readily see in them the demonstration of a highly important fact, viz., that horses can be taught the meaning of words, and to yield obedience to sounds to such an extent as to convince a candid mind that their intelligence is far in advance of that generally attributed to them. With these remarks I will proceed to explain the modus operandi, as I call attention to a variety of tricks they may easily be taught to perform. Before passing to this, let me impress on the reader some leading principles in educating the horse. First, never allow yourself to get in a hurry; impatience or excitement on your part will go far in defeating the object of your instructions. Second, do not prolong your lessons beyond twenty minutes at one time; and, especially, never use severity beyond that which may be absolutely necessary. Thus by kindness and patience in repeating your lessons at short intervals, you will surmount every difficulty and accomplish your purpose in a manner satisfactory to yourself.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO MOUNT A PEDESTAL.

First make the Bonaparte bridle, and place it on your horse, then lead him quietly up to the pedestal, and say to him, “Get up with your fore-feet!” of course he will not obey; now you must teach him your meaning. While you hold the bridle let some one take hold of his front foot, raise it carefully and place it on the pedestal; then caress him, after which say, “Get down!” at the same time using your bridle in gently backing him. When he puts his foot down do not omit to caress him. Repeat this until he will obey when spoken to, then go through the same process with the other foot. After this, place both feet on the pedestal; then require him to get down, then up and down till he will obey you without the use of the bridle. Great care should be taken not to excite the horse while educating him, for when excited his brain becomes muddled, and he is unfitted for retaining your instruction.

To make your horse stand on three legs: take a pin, and place it in the end of your whipstock, and with the point prick him slightly on the leg, in front, just below the fetlock joint, but not hard enough to make him kick; repeat this several times accompanied by the words, “hold up your foot!” continuing to repeat the punishment and words until he will obey the command without punishment.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE WALTZ.

Tie his head to his side by means of a surcingle and cord, fastening the cord at the side, reaching from the mouth; touch him lightly with the whip. He has to go, and, of course, he must go around and around. He soon learns perfectly to waltz by the motion of the whip, the teacher still repeating the word “waltz.”

TO EDUCATE THE HORSE TO WALK ON HIS HIND FEET.

Make the Bonaparte bridle, and put it on your horse; also put on a bitting rig, similar to the one shown in the engraving, drawing his head pretty well up and in. Now stand near his head with bridle in hand, and jerk upward, as though you desired to lift him up, at the same time repeating the words, “stand up on your hind feet!” repeat this several times, and if he does not make a move to please you, take hold of one leg, raising him up with one hand and using the bridle with the other, as before directed, not forgetting to caress him if he makes the slightest move in the direction of obedience. In order to ensure success, kindness and patience should be the ruling principles. After you have taught your horse to stand on his hind feet you will next educate him to walk upright. This can be easily done by observing the following directions. Stand in front of him, whip in hand, saying, “Get up!” then shake the whip in front of him, stepping backwards slowly, at the same time say to him, “Come here!” repeating it sharply and touching him gently with the whip on the knees. By carefully observing the above directions, you will quickly teach your horse to stand upright, and to walk on his hind feet.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE SAY “NO.”

Prick him on the neck at the terminus of the mane till he shakes his head, then remove the pin, caress him, repeat for a while, and your horse will soon shake his head when you raise your hand to your heart; be always sure to treat the animal kindly for well-doing, and caress him when he deserves it, and he will repay you by his love for you and willingness to do your bidding.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO PUSH A VEHICLE.

After your horse has been taught to mount a pedestal with his fore-feet, and to stand and walk upright on his hind-feet it is a comparatively easy task to educate him to mount upon a vehicle and push it. It is not at all necessary that a horse should be attached to it in front, as appears in the illustration, where the engraver has placed a representation of my black horse, Prince Albert, as a matter of taste, not as being necessary in conducting the instruction.

In this trick it will be scarcely necessary for the educator to put the Bonaparte bridle on his horse unless he should show some stubbornness, but, with bitting rig on, stand near his head, whip in hand, and say to him in rather a loud and sharp tone of voice, “Get up!” Some fear on his part may be manifested, still do not give up nor lose your patience, but lift his feet up and caress him. When he does get up do not at first allow the vehicle to move, nor until he has mounted two or three times, then say to him, “Push!” and in a short time you will have taught him not only to get up on the vehicle but to push it in front of him. After your horse has been thoroughly taught, you will discover that he is delighted to amuse you, and he will appear pleased to participate in the enjoyment of the trick.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE GO LAME.

Tap him on the fore-leg till he holds it up, then caress him kindly; lead him with the left hand to the bit, and tap the left fore-leg with a stick in your right hand; repeat the word “lame, lame, lame,” and your horse will soon learn to hold up one leg at the command.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO BE VICIOUS.

Many persons are incredulous in regard to the assertion that horses can be educated; had one lived a hundred years ago he might have been excused for such incredulity, but in this age of knowledge and advancement in all departments of human life, no man should close his eyes to any of the developments wrought by man’s ingenuity. That the horse possesses more intelligence than many are disposed to admit, facts abundantly prove, and that he is quite as susceptible of acquiring evil and vicious habits as is man, the following trick will show.

My horse, Prince Albert, appears to enjoy the subjoined trick greatly, and I regard it as quite a sensational one. To educate a horse to be vicious you have only to attract his attention, and then appear to be afraid of him. For instance, strike him lightly with a whip on the knees, then run away from him, and after you have repeated this a few times he will run after you. You may make the trick more interesting by calling him names, such as “a nigger,” “a mean horse,” and on speaking the words run from him. But be careful to have some place of safety, so that, when he follows, you may get out of his reach, as at some time he may disappoint and overtake you and mete out a punishment that will be anything but pleasing or desirable.

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO LAUGH.

Prick him with a pin on the nose till he turns his lip up; then caress him well. He will soon learn that when you point towards him and say, “Laugh,” that it means a prick in the nose, if he does not turn his lip up.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO WALK ON HIS KNEES.

The reader will observe, by reading my book, that great use is made of the Bonaparte bridle, and if those who handle horses will always resort to it when obedience from the horse is desired, they will save much time, trouble and annoyance that so often occur, especially to persons who quickly loose their tempers. Men can accomplish more in fifteen minutes using the bridle than in fifteen hours with any other means, as it does not inflict a severe punishment when properly used, but never fails to secure obedience. Therefore, as in most cases it is used, I, in the present, introduce it again.

Put a surcingle on the horse, attach a strap to his nigh fore-foot between the fetlock joint and hoof and draw it up to within eight or ten inches of his body, then take a strap or cord, say 6 or 7 feet long, and fasten it to his off fore-leg in the same manner and secure the services of some person to assist you, directing him to stand on the off-side, and, when directed, to pull up his foot. Place on the horse the Bonaparte bridle, and take your position in front of him with bridle in hand, requesting assistant to pull, when your horse will come down on his knees, now pull on your bridle and say, “Come here,” when he will soon obey you. Do not make your lessons long, but repeat them often; not forgetting to caress him if he should make the slightest move towards you.

Never attempt to teach a horse this trick with shoes on his hind-feet, as he might cut himself, which would cause him to dread a second effort.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO DRIVE A BOY OFF THE PEDESTAL.

It will be necessary to first educate the horse to mount the pedestal. Instructions to do this may be found elsewhere; then proceed in the following manner to educate to the above trick. Put on the Bonaparte bridle, using a cord, say twenty feet long, and send your horse away from you with a whip, the length of the cord, then give him a slight pull, and say, “Come here;” then run from him and mount the pedestal yourself; when he approaches he will try to mount, and as he does so you jump off. After you have thus exercised him a few times get a boy to assist you. Let the boy stand on the pedestal, and say to your horse, “Come here and mount up;” instruct the boy to leave so soon as the animal shall mount.

You will find this trick quite a sensational one, and not difficult to learn your horse.

TO SHAKE HANDS.

This is easily accomplished by tying a short strap or piece of cord to the forward foot below the fetlock; then stand directly in front of the horse, and hold the end of the strap in your hand, and say, “Shake hands, sir.” After which pull immediately upon the strap, which will bring his foot forward, and which you are to accept as shaking hands; then, of course, you must caress and feed him, and keep him repeating, until, when you make the demand, he will bring the foot forward in anticipation of having it pulled up.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE BOW.

Prick him in the breast with a pin, till he throws his head down and up the least bit; then take the pin away, and caress him kindly; repeat for a few times, until when you stand back and attract his attention, he will nod his head, expecting a prick in the breast.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO SIT DOWN.

Horses differ very much in their capacity for being taught therefore, if you desire a pleasing subject, select one that is tractable. Directions: Make the Bonaparte bridle, and place it on your horse, so that you may have him under proper control, then put on him a common hame collar; now take two pole-straps and place one on each hind-leg, below the fetlock joint, and attach a cord, say twelve feet long, to each strap, carry your cord up through the collar on each side and bring the ends behind him, holding also the end of the Bonaparte bridle in your hand, and commence to pull on your cords; now repeat over the words, “sit down;” as he goes backwards draw up still more on your cords, until he shall sit down. Do not allow him to remain in this sitting posture more than a minute the first lesson. Repeat this two or three times a day for five or six days, and you, with the assistance of a whip pointed downwards to the ground, will witness the pleasing effect of your instruction by seeing your horse sit down at the word of command.

TO CURE THE SCRATCHES IN THE SHORTEST TIME EVER KNOWN.

Use two tablespoonfuls of lard, and one tablespoonful of slacked lime; brush out the dirt and dust from the foot; use no water. Apply the salve, well mixed, twice each day. It will cure the worst cases in 4 to 6 days.

Another remedy:

Hydrate of potassa, 10 grains; pulverized nut-galls, ½ oz.; white lead, pulverized opium, each ¼ oz.; lard, ¼ lb. Wash with soap-suds, rub dry, and apply the mixture night and morning. Give purging ball.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO BORE FOR OIL.

Place on your horse the Camanche bridle, and educate him to the words, “Come here,” so that he will mind you readily on hearing the words; by this you can better control him while educating to the trick in question. Some difficulty may at first be experienced, but by patience and perseverance you will not fail.

Take an ordinary pole-strap and place it on your horse below the fetlock joint on the off fore-foot; now take one loose turn round the nigh fore-foot, and take the end of the strap in one hand, with the other hand pull gently on the bridle, using the words as instructed. Your animal will attempt to obey, but will find himself somewhat hampered, yet he will quickly learn. If he should at first move a foot to please you, say “Whoa,” and then caress. Make your lesson short, and do not try to force him too much, for if you do he will become excited and resist your effort.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE WALK UP.

First put a rope around his neck, bring it down through his mouth, back through the loop on the neck, jerk him till he raises his fore-feet the least bit, then stop and caress him; then check him up tight to a surcingle—from the bit to the side-ring is the better way; then jerk on the cord, and he will soon get up erect; repeat, still caressing him well for all he does; he will soon get up at the motion of the whip. You should, when practicing him, repeat the words, “get up, sir!” It is in this manner I taught Tom Thumb to go up and down stairs, and to perform on the stage in different places, affording amusement to thousands of witnesses.

A SURE METHOD OF MAKING A HORSE BAD TO CATCH.

Two or three pages might be written upon this subject, and profitably read by owners of horses. Young men and boys are largely addicted to the habit of riding or leading the horse up to the bars or fence, and, some being too lazy to let down the rails properly, compelling him to jump over, and if he resists, the first effort is to hit him with the bridle or halter, and away the animal goes almost frantic with fear. To another class it proves an amusement, certainly arising from a depraved nature, as they like to see the animal jump; and to enjoy their sport they hurry him over regardless of consequences—not thinking they are laying the foundation of a very bad habit in the horse—that of being bad to catch in the field. Let those who have been guilty in the past, after reading this paragraph over, desist from pursuing such a course of conduct toward horses, and ere long the time will come when there will be no need to apply the remedy—elsewhere found—to educate the horse that is bad to catch in the field.

HIDE BOUND.

This condition of the skin is usually produced by any derangement of system. Medicine of an alterative character is here indicated. The most successful remedy is sulphur, pulverized, 8 oz.; nitrate of potassa, pulverized, 3 oz.; black antimony, pulverized, 2 oz.; sulphate of iron, 4 oz. Mix well together, and give one tablespoonful twice a day.

Another good remedy:

Take saltpetre, 4 oz.; crude antimony, 1 oz.; sulphur, 2 oz. Both the saltpetre and antimony should be finely pulverized, then add the sulphur, and mix well together. Dose: tablespoonful of the mixture in bran-mash daily.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO TAKE A HANDKERCHIEF FROM HIS SIDE.

The reader must understand that it is necessary first to educate your animal to obey the words “come here” and “whoa,” before he can be taught tricks successfully.

There must be great caution used in teaching the above trick. First stand on the nigh-side and prick the animal lightly on the shoulder; he will reach round and bite near where the punishment is inflicted. After you have repeated this a few times, hold a handkerchief in hand with the pin and he will soon catch hold of it with his teeth; as you use the pin, say “Take it from the nigh-side.” Next prick him with a pin on the off-shoulder, handkerchief accompanying, and say “Take it from the off-side.” When you have given him five or six lessons, you may hold the handkerchief on his side and touch him with your finger, repeating the words above directed. The instructor must be cautious when using the pin in educating, not to provoke so as to make the animal cross.

DISTEMPER.

All catarrhal affections are classed by horse owners under the head of distemper. Common catarrh, epidemic catarrh, laryngitis, bronchitis, and all other diseases accompanied by nasal discharges, are regarded by horsemen as one and the same.

The following remedy is to cure distemper in its simple form, as we find it in colts soon after the disease commences. If there is swelling under the jaws, poultice the throat with flaxseed meal, or bread and milk. Apply mustard and vinegar, and give internally one of the following powders in feed: pulverized gentian, 2 ounces; sulph. copper, 1 oz.; pulverized ginger, 6 drams; mix, and divide into 8 powders.

TO EDUCATE A HORSE TO KISS A BOY.

This kind of education is not particularly beneficial to the horse owner, but it illustrates clearly the idea foreshadowed in many parts of my work: first, that the horse may be taught almost anything that is in his power to do; second, that if you go rightly to work you may so gain his confidence that he will cheerfully obey every reasonable command.

Direction.—Take a piece of apple, place it in your mouth and say to your horse, “Kiss me.” He will approach you to take it; when he does so caress him. After repeating this a few times, when you approach him extend your mouth towards his and repeat the words “kiss me.” If he does not respond, place a piece of apple in your mouth as before, and repeat it until he shall obey without the use of the apple.

BONE SPAVIN.

One-half pound of blood root; 1 quart of alcohol; 2 oz. tannin; ¼ lb. alum. Mix and let stand. Shaking several times a day till the strength is all in the alcohol, and bathe the spavin twice a day, rubbing with the hand.

FOR WINDGALLS.

Olive oil, 2 oz.; nitric acid, ¼ oz. Rub as much in every day, or every second or third day, as will bear without starting the hair.

FOR INFLAMED SWELLINGS OR LAMED SHOULDERS.

Equal parts oil amber, oil spike, gum camphor, and ether. Should be shaken well before using, and well rubbed in with the hand.

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