 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.After the candidate completed the initiation ceremony he was then given a word that was supposed to give him power over horses.