BOLTING FOOD — BOLTS 



he is always likely to repeat the offence. Hence a runaway 

 is usually an animal to be disposed of without a character. 

 When placed in the unenviable position of having to stop 

 a bolter, the object of the person in charge should be to get 

 his head turned round as close to his side as possible, which 

 is not an easy thing to do by any means, especially if the 

 horse has got the bit between his teeth. The best way of 

 succeeding is to get hold of the off rein as low down as 

 possible with the right hand and pull at it, meanwhile 

 holding the near rein fairly tight in the left hand. Sawing 

 at the mouth is recommended by some people and may be 

 useful in a few cases, but the former method is the better. 

 If the position should become serious, that is to say, if a 

 smash up appears imminent, efforts may be made to throw 

 the horse, by alternately pulling at his head hard, and 

 suddenly letting it loose, which may cause him to cross his 

 legs and fall ; but as a rule it is always best and safest for 

 a rider, and still more so a driver, to keep his seat, as jumping 

 off is usually the cause of more serious injury than a collision. 

 If the road is clear, moreover, there is always a chance of 

 pulling up the horse, especially if he knows the voice of his 

 driver, and the latter calls quietly to him to stop ; and it may 

 be added that if the runaway can be turned on to a steep 

 hill the chances of his slowing down are materially increased. 

 (See Bits, Pulling?) 



Bolting food is usually the result of decayed teeth, and is 

 a fruitful source of indigestion, which leads to other troubles. 

 After seeing to the state of the teeth, feed on bruised oats 

 and chaff. (See Dentistry, Indigestion?) 



Bolts.— All the bolts and fastenings of doors, especi- 

 ally those inside a stable, should be so fixed that they do 

 not project beyond the woodwork, as if they do, they are 

 extremely liable to injure a horse which comes up against 

 them, and may leave a blemish on him for life. 



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