68 THE STOCK OWNKK S ADVISER. 



common sense. To scare the already frightened horse is surely 

 not the correct method to pursue, and to whip the confused horse 

 is equally as bad. There is hardly one balky horse in five hun- 

 dred that will pull truly from wdiipping; it is only adding fuel to 

 fire and will make him more liable to balk at another time. 

 Horses that have balked a few times, turn their heads and look 

 back as soon as they are a little frustrated. This is because they 

 have been whipped and are afraid of what is behind them. AVhen 

 your horse balks, or is a little excited, or if he wants to start 

 quickly, or looks around and don't want to go, there is some- 

 thing wrong, and he needs kind treatment immediately. Caress 

 him kindly, and if he don't understand at once what you w^ant 

 him to do, he will not be so much excited as to jump and break 

 things through fear. As long as you are calm, and can keep 

 down excitement, there are ten chances for him to understand 

 you where there would not be one under harsh treatment, and 

 then the little flare up would not carry with it any unfavorable 

 recollections. Almost every wrong act the horse commits is 

 from mismanagement, fear, or excitement; one harsh word will 

 so excite a nervous horse as to increase his pulse ten beats per 

 minute. Almost any team when first balked will start kindly 

 if you will let them stand five or ten minutes as though there 

 was nothing wrong; then walk some distance in front of them 

 and return, passing around the team, so that they can see you. 

 When you think they have forgotten their excitement, speak to 

 them with a steady voice and turn them a little to the right or 

 left so as to get them in motion l)efore they feel the pinch of the 

 load. Xow, if they should fail to start, go to them and gentle 

 them. Spend some time doing this, or until they are composed. 

 To start a team that you are not driving yourself, that has been 

 balked, fooled, and whipped for some time, have the drivers and 

 spectators, if there are any, stand off some distance to one side, 

 so as not to attract the attention of the horse. Unloose their 

 check reins, so that they can get their heads down if they choose; 

 take ofi" the bridle, pat and caress them, and put them back onj 



