THE-:- HORSE 



edly eliminate from the animal's mind the 

 desire to balk, it will anger or pain him to 

 such a degree that he will probably run 

 madly away and cause the ill-advised person 

 injury o£ some sort. 



Balking is a habit that is usually produced 

 by bad management, and is more prevalent 

 in old and long-suffering animals than in 

 others. If a horse, who is predisposed in 

 this way, sees in front of him a steep hill, 

 and is allowed to stand for a few moments 

 contemplating it, he will probably become 

 discouraged and balk. A deep river or heavy 

 sand will often produce the same effect. To 

 prevent a horse from balking, the rider 

 should hurry him up or through these places, 

 so that but a moment of time is allowed the 

 animal for meditation. 



In the middle of Taylor Creek it was my 

 misfortune at one time to find myself seated 

 upon an animal which assumed a balking 

 position. The art to be employed in dis- 

 couraging a horse from balking depends upon 

 some method of annoying the beast, by de- 

 grees, so that he becomes disgusted with 

 himself and is willing to cease. Finding my- 

 self in this position in midstream, I took off 

 my hat and filled it with water, which I slowly 

 poured into the animal's ears, taking care to 

 allow only a very fine stream to enter. The 

 animal gave evidence of being displeased, 



57 



