206 STRATAGEMS. 



it, and taking the reins over his head, draw them through the 

 hair of the tail so as to give his head a sharp bend towards 

 the tail (346 to 351). This is most easily and safely done if you 

 have provided a few yards of string in your pocket. Tie the 

 string to the end of the reins, and passing it through the hair of 

 the tail, draw the reins to the required tightness and tie the string 

 to the left side of the bit, in a bow that can easily be untied with 

 a single pull. 



472. — Failing the string, unbuckle the reins from the left 

 ring of the bit, and pass the reins through the left ring, so that 

 the rein will remain buckled to the right ring and pass under the 

 jaw through the left ring. Pass the rein back through the hair 

 of the tail, and bringing it forward to the head, buckle or tie it 

 at the required length to the left ring of the bit. 



If the tail is a short one, or if there is any difficulty about 

 hair, you can use one of your stirrup leathers to give all the 

 length you require. Start your horse turning round, and as 

 soon as he appeal's giddy or threatens to lie down, untie the rein, 

 get on his back and go on. If he has had enough circling all 

 thought of resistance will have left him ; if he has not had enough 

 give him another dose. 



473. — A harness horse may be taken out of a carriage, and 

 served in the same way if necessary, but the backing remedy will 

 generally answer the purpose with them ; or taking them out and 

 giving them a short lounge round on the rein. Never fight with 

 them whilst hitched to any vehicle, or you may teach them the 

 far more incurable vices of kicking or jibbing. 



474. — ^With some horses it has proved quite easy to break up 

 the habit by simply letting them turn their own way, and then 

 taking them where you want to go by some longer route. 



475. — We once knew a horseman Avho cured his horse by 

 sitting quietly on his back for seven hours, on the spot where he 

 chose daily to stick up, and then doing the journey the horse 

 had objected to go. 



LYING DOWN, 



476. — So commonly resorted to by a refractory, or weak, or 

 weary, or overheated, or persecuted ox, is very rarely attempted 



