CHAPTER XXXVI. 



THE SWITCHER AND LINE CATCHER. 



The rein catcher, with the tail, is often a dangerous character, not- 

 withstanding he, or she, may otherwise be a very valuable animal. 



NEVER PULL THE LINE SUDDENLY FROM UNDER THE 

 TAIL OF THE HORSE. 



It is very bad policy to try to suddenly pull the rein from under the 

 horse's tail whenever caught by accident or purposely. But if it is pos- 

 sible to let the rein loose, or the tail can be lifted from off the rein 

 quietly by the hand, the animal may soon recover from any nervousness 

 in consequence. 



NEVER FIGHT OR PUNISH THE LINE CATCHER AND 

 SWITCHER. 



It too often happens that the mischief is done by some unthinking or 

 inexperienced driver, and the animal ever afterward rendered dangerous 

 or at least troublesome, to say the least, by punishment for this act of 

 catching the line. 



Mares are generally worse than geldings, and, while they have 

 free use of the tail, may constantly keep trying to catch the rein under 

 the tail. 



NO CHANCES SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE CONFIRMED 

 SWITCHER. 



When the habit of catching the rein with the tail has become a 

 constant practice, we should endeavor to prevent it by tying into a por- 

 tion of the hair of the tail, a little above the terminal end of the tail 

 bone, the middle portion of a string of sufficient length to extend the 

 tugs, or traces on either side, and securely tie, as shown in cut No. 97. 



TIE THE HORSE'S TAIL TO THE SHAFTS OR TRACES TO 

 PREVENT SWITCHING. 



The strings to the tugs or shafts should be drawn taut to begin with, 

 and, as the animal becomes used to the rein, it may, from time to time, 

 be tied more loosely. 



It will thus be seen that it is impossible for the animal to se- 

 curely catch and hold the rein with the tail where this device is used; 

 and, by gently dropping the rein from side to side, without teasing the 

 animal, we will soon establish confidence between us and the animal, 

 and the habit is eventually forgotten. The author once used the de- 



