.-^ THE HORSE OWNER S 



of horses), one inch and a half wide, with billet buckle 

 and loop attached to each end, the same as your reins are 

 buckled into the ring of the bits. One end of this strap 

 is buckled around the false shaft, where it passes through 

 the tug-strap of the harness of the kicking horse ; the 

 other end is passed through and under the chest of each 

 horsCj just back of the forward legs, and buckled into the 

 outside tug-buckle of the opposite horse. That is to pre- 

 vent the shaft from rising when the horse attempts to 

 kick. Now place your bridle upon the horse's head, as 

 recommended in single harness; bring the ends back, 

 and pass them through the ring made fast on the top of 

 the liips ; on one side bring one of the cords down across 

 the hip, and make it fast to the pole ; the other end over 

 the hip and make fast to the false shaft. He is now in 

 almost the same position as when between the single shafts. 

 The strap under the chest prevents the shaft from rising, 

 should he attempt to kick — also the horses from spreading. 

 I have another plan of working a kicking horse in double 

 harness, and why I do not recommend it in all cases is 

 because the operator is apt to get careless, and neglect to 

 watch closely the moves of the horse. The operator can 

 always tell, by watching him closely, when he is pre- 

 mcilitating a vicious move : a little scringing, dropping 

 of the ear, frisking of the tail, hogging down on the bit 

 with a sudden start, all indicate something wrong. Con- 

 sequently,' you see it is highly necessary to watch his 

 moves closely. The plan we were about to speak of is as 

 follows : and our experience in handling horses warrants 

 us in recommending it as a good one : Hitch your kick- 

 er by the side of a well broken horse, procure a strong 

 half inch cord fifteen or eighteen feet in length, pass it 



