Handling Vicious Horses 83 



While down it is often a good plan to crack a whip 

 close to him, and, when he struggles, to hold him firmly, 

 hy keeping his head down. After he ceases struggling 

 and gives up, the horse should be allowed to get up. 

 Then try him with the lesson again. If he refuses, 

 throw him down at once, and repeat the process until 

 he is ready to do what is required of him. 



Another method that works well in some cases and is 

 less trouble, is to strap up one fore leg and make him 

 go on three legs. This is a good plan when the horse 

 has a tendency to run or to kick. After he is satisfied 

 that he cannot get loose and is under complete control, 

 the strap can be removed. If, when hitching a horse 

 up, there is fear that he may run or act in a vicious 

 manner, straps with rings should be buckled below the 

 fetlock on each fore leg, a small rope tied securely in 

 the ring of the strap on the right leg, passed up over 

 the belly-band and down through the ring on the left 

 fore leg, then passed up over the belly-band again 

 and held by an assistant who walks or rides with the 

 trainer. In case of trouble, the assistant, by pulling on 

 the rope, can hold up one or both fore feet. If a horse 

 shows a tendency to kick, a sharp twitch on the lines 

 will often distract his attention and prevent kicking. 

 Frequently, when a horse is nervous and irritable, 

 placing a blindfold over the eyes will direct his attention 

 elsewhere. 



BALKY HORSES 



Balking is refusal on the part of a horse to do his 

 required work when he understands fully what is 



