- 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 height, 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. - An Equestrian Epicure
An amusing scene often enacted in the ring is to have a horse 48seated 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. - Teaching the horse to lie down
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. - Preparing to lie down
Preparing to lie down - Breaking horse for the 'Circle'
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. - 'Whoa'
The word “whoa” should be used only to stop a horse when he is in motion. Never use it when you approach a horse standing quietly. Horses soon learn to distinguish any word often addressed to them, and they should learn to associate it with some definite and exact duty which you wish them to perform. If any word of command is used indiscriminately, or out of its proper place, the animal becomes confused and loses the association between the word and the object desired. To teach a horse the meaning of the word “whoa,” the arrangement shown in the accompanying illustration may be used. Put the large web, previously described, around his near fore foot, pass it under the girth; and as the animal walks along, pull up the foot, saying at the same instant, “Whoa.” He will be brought to a stop, and by repeating the lesson he will soon raise the foot and stop even though the web is not pulled upon - Brown Horse
Brown Horse - The short strap in use
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. - Bucked off
Bucked off - The short and the long straps
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. - Teaching the horse to back
Put the cord upon the horse, using the small loop; draw it with a steady pull; this brings the horse’s nose toward his body. Keep a firm hold upon the cord until he steps back a little, using at the same time the word “back.” Then caress him; by doing so you show him that he has done exactly as you wished him to, and the caresses should be repeated every time he obeys. - The application of both straps
The application of both straps - Frightened Horse
Frightened Horse - Black Horse
Black Horse - Horse in stall
Horse in stall - Horse cantering
Horse cantering - Horses running in snow
Horses running in snow - Horse affection
Horse affection - Bucking Horse
Bucking Horse - Horse
Horse - Horse Head
Horse Head - Horse
Horse - Horse in stall
Horse in stall - Bringing the horse to his knees
Bringing the horse to his knees - Horses in stall
Horses in stall - The Horse lying down
The Horse lying down - Horses Drinking
Horses Drinking - Speckled horse
Speckled horse - Going through the gate
Going through the gate - Trotting across a field
Trotting across a field - Horse drinking
Horse drinking - Soldier on horse
Soldier on horse - Horse and sheep show
Horse and sheep show - Galloping Horse
Galloping Horse - Horse legs
Horse legs - Brown horse and foal
Brown horse and foal - Archaic Horses and Chariots
Archaic Horses and Chariots (from an archaic Greek Vase) - Horse and Foal
Horse and Foal - Rodeo Rider
Rodeo Rider - Man riding horse
Man riding horse - Horse with feedbag
Horse with feedbag - Prancing Horse
Prancing Horse - Feeding Time
Feeding Time - The two wise cart-horses
Cart-horses, though heavy-looking animals, are more sagacious that their more gracefully formed relatives. A cart-horse had been driven from a farmyard to the neighbouring brook early one morning during winter to drink. The water was frozen over, and the horse stamped away with his fore-feet, but was unable to break the ice. Finding this, he waited till a companion came down, when the two, standing side by side, and causing their hoofs to descend together, broke through the ice, and were thus enabled to obtain the water they required. - Child looking after horse
Child looking after horse - Horse staying by his owner
Horse staying by his owner - Two children riding ponies on the beach
Two children riding ponies on the beach - Horse and cart with dog driver
Horse and cart with dog driver - Cowboy
Cowboy - Two horses
Two horses - Need real food
Horse reaching for some leaves on rather barren tree - A horse
A horse - Cowboys rounding up their herd
Cowboys rounding up their herd - Feeding time
Feeding time - Hunting with the dogs
Hunting with the dogs - Horse and dogs ready for a ride
Horse and dogs ready for a ride - Man and horse outside a house
Man and horse outside a house - Horse
Horse - Cowboy on a bucking bronco near Garden City, Kansas
Cowboy on a bucking bronco near Garden City, Kansas - Two horses looking at their food
Two horses looking at their food