144 HORSE SENSE. 



This is done with a good, strong strap buckled around each hind 

 leg above the ankle joints, with a coupling strap between, as shown in 

 Cut. No. 62 and will effectually prevent it, and if persevered in its use 

 will usually cure the habit. This is better than a short chain. 



Pawing is prevented by shackling the front legs in the same manner 

 as shown also in Fig. 5. Cut No. 62. 



How frequently we see a pair of sharp shod horses put into a stall to- 

 gether and very soon find one, or both, so badly cut from kicking as 

 to render them unserviceable. Now, this could be prevented by shackles 

 on the hind legs of both, and still giving them sut^cient liberty to step 

 about the stall or lie down and get up. It is best, however, to first put 

 the shackles on for once or twice before getting sharp shod to get them 

 used to them and to prevent calking themselves. Many a valuable young 

 horse has been ruined in the hind legs from kicking the stall, generally 

 acquiring the habit for the want of exercise. He has no chance to exer- 

 cise, consequently he goes to kicking the stall until it becomes a con- 

 firmed habit. Pawing in the stall results generally from the same cause. 

 The shackles are very effectual with no danger after the first few minutes, 

 and then only from self-calking. A trial will convince the most skeptical. 

 This is a wonderful remedy for wilfully vicious horses, as it renders them 

 perfectly harmless, like the handcuffed and shackled prisoner. We 

 should treat these horses kindly but firmly and go about them with per- 

 fect indifference, which we can do, under the circumstances. 



REMEMBER THE NATURAL LAW OF FORWARD AND BACK- 

 WARD MOVEMENTS. 



Right here, we want to say to our readers that there is a principle 

 with horses, that whatever happens at the front part of their bodies im- 

 pels them backward, and at the rear part induces them to move for- 

 ward, and with this ever in mind it will greatly aid us in all dealings 

 with our horses. 



, EDUCATING THE HORSE TO BACK. 



Almost everybody endeavors to educate their horses to back by 

 pulling on the reins, and in the majority of cases they are successful; 

 but there are many horses that do not understand what is wanted of 

 them when in harness and become sullen, and then it is almost an im- 

 possibility to force them backwards by the bits. 

 DON'T FIURT THE HORSE'S MOUTH TO GET HIM TO BACK. 



A very simple and effectual method is to stand in front of the horse 

 and, by only a gentle pressure on the bit with one hand, and a push with 

 the extended fingers of the other hand between the point of the shoulder 

 and breast-bone, he will readily go backward as shown in Fig. 9. Cut No. 



THE HORSE BACKS IN COMPLIANCE WITH NATURAL 

 LAW. 

 In giving this lesson we should always associate the pressure of the 

 fingers with the word "back," and in a very few minutes the horse rea- 



