folklore or from published accounts discussing witchcraft. Prior to the initiation ceremony the candidate, often a ploughboy, was told to come to the barn where the ceremonial procedures were to take place, normally held between 11pm and 1 am. Once at the door he was blindfolded and taken before the master of ceremonies, who was often an elder ploughman. As in Masonic rituals there was then a prearranged and established exchange of questions and answers that was to be given. In the case of the Horseman's Word and the Miller's Word this exchange was often a parody of catechism. After this was completed the inductee was then asked to seal the pact and shake hands with the devil, which would often be a branch or pole covered in animal fur. A common aspect of the initiation was a trick played on the postulant; after they had been made to swear that they would never reveal the hidden word that was the alleged source of the group's power, they would later be commanded to write it down. If he tried to do so, thereby breaking his oath, he would be flogged across his back or knuckles. The Word After the candidate completed the initiation ceremony he was then given a word that was supposed to give him power over horses. "The Horseman's Word" was an actual spoken word. This secret word, which varied by location, was said to have magical and mystical qualities which would allow the keeper of the word to possess the ability by merely whispering it to bring horses under their complete control. Apart from gaining knowledge of the secret word, more practical information and techniques about controlling and training horses was also passed on to members of the society. These methods were kept secret and done in such a way that the horsemen maintained their reputations as having unique and even magical power over horses. Neat stated that the Horseman's Word was "infused with verbal richness that would have thrilled" William Shakespeare or Robert Burns. Techniques and secrets of the Horseman's Word Until the initiation ceremony and induction into the society and the receiving of the word, the horseman who were not members of the society but potential candidates would have trouble with horses. This would often be caused by older ploughmen who were members of the society tampering with their horses. They would put things like