Midnight
And this he did by being much with him , by soft talking , by never being abrupt , and by bringing him favourite food . Not in a stable -- it was a month before the wild horse would consent to enter a stable -- this first period of training was all in a corral . Then came the handling . Midnight was very apt to turn and kick when first a hand was laid on him , but he learned to tolerate , and then to love the hand of his master ; and when this treatment was later reinforced with a currycomb , the sensation pleased him mightily . The bridle next went on by degrees -- first as a halter , then as a hackimore , last complete with bit . The saddle was the next slow process -- a surcingle , a folded blanket and cinch , a double blanket and cinch , a bag of oats and cinch and , finally , the saddle and rider . It was slow , but it was steadily successful ; and whenever the black colt 's ears went back or his teeth gave a rebellious snap , Jim knew he was going too fast , and gently avoided a clash .