CHAPTER XI.

NERVOUSNESS AND IMPATIENCE OF CONTROL.

Buck-jumping--Difficult to bridle, handle, mount, dismount, ball, or drench--Difficult to put into a railway train, ship’s horse-box, etc.--Difficult to shoe--Nervous of being touched with the heel--Unsteady with the whip; under fire; when drawing swords, etc.

_Buck-jumping._--The best procedure I know to overcome this vice, is to circle the horse with the long reins on foot, frequently turning him (see “Shying,” page 220), for about half-an-hour; make him lie down, and keep him on the ground with his head turned round (see page 158), till he, apparently, “gives in”; then let him up; tie him head and tail, and saddle him, with one girth over the cord (see page 197); let him revolve round, and while he does so, gentle him on the ribs with the end of the long pole (see page 203), until he stands its touch. The horse can now be mounted in the manner described on page 197. If we have got a rider that does not mind the chance of a fall, we may omit the head and tail business, and have the horse saddled and mounted with the long reins on him, when he recovers his feet after undergoing his discipline on the ground. The breaker who holds the long reins, should pull the horse round, from side to side, the moment the assistant gets into the saddle; and, having obtained control over him, should circle and turn him several times, until he goes quite freely. The long reins can now be taken off, and the snaffle reins given to the rider, who, previous to this, should not touch the reins; although he may use the breast-plate, or other convenient object, as an aid, in case of accident, for retaining his balance.

_Difficult to bridle, handle, mount, dismount, ball, or drench._--Teaching the animal, with the rope-twitch, to pay attention to the word “steady!” (see page 111), will cure all these vices. In