BAULKING OR JIBBING. 201 



amine the harness and wagon (partly to accustom the horse to 

 iiis presence,) gather up the reins gently, speaking to the horse 

 to prevent his starting, get quietly into his seat, and then, if 

 possible, get control of the horse's mouth before allowing him 

 to move, so that when he does step off it may be only at a slow 

 walk. If by a forward movement of the hands he can be made 

 to press very gradually against the collar, and if the whole ope- 

 ration is performed in a cool and unexcited manner, there will 

 be little difficulty in bringing him to a dead pull, from which 

 he will recoil only if the load is a serious tax upon his strength. 



If the first attempt fail, wait until your horse hns become 

 quiet, and until you have recovered from your own vexation, 

 and then try again. It may be necessary to have the assis- 

 tance of one or two persons, to start the wagon from behind ; 

 but they should not push it until the horse is fairly against the 

 collar. 



To cure the habit of baulking is not an easy matter, and it is 

 possible only by the kindest treatment. If the horse show fear 

 by his excited manner, or, by looking about him wildly, that he 

 is expecting a blow, you may be sure that he has received hard 

 usage under similar circumstances, and that he must be con- 

 vinced by caresses and kind words that yoa will treat him 

 gently. You must recollect that the horse cannot understand 

 your language ; and that, while he is confused, he will misin- 

 terpret every sign which you may make to him. He has an 

 idea of your superior power ; and, in his fear that you will 

 exercise it, as bad drivers have done before, to his injury, he 

 will not at once feel confidence in your kind intentions. He 

 must feel this confidence, whether it take an hour or all day to 

 convey it to him, before you can do anything to cure him of 



