62 THE CARE OF HORSES 



Kicking 



In proper stable rotation, having ' taken the fore 

 legs/ we will pass to the hind ones, and discuss their 

 accomplishments. These sometimes have a far too 

 elevated idea of their position in life. Being by 

 nature totally opposed to the fore legs, so are the 

 signs of a kicking bout totally different from those 

 shown in rearing, then the head is thrown up. In 

 kicking the ears are laid back, the eyes rolled to 

 show the whites, and a very evil expression comes 

 over the horse's whole face. Now, you must ' sit 

 tight and hold hard ' at the first sign. Get the 

 horse's head well round to one side ; don't slacken 

 your hold of him for a moment. If you are a good 

 rider there is more danger to others than to yourself. 

 If you punish him, do so with discretion, and do 

 not lose your own temper in the process and descend 

 to brutality. Having his head well round, drop him 

 several well-directed cuts with the whip down his 

 shoulders. Don't whip him behind the saddle. 

 Having cowed and conquered the fit pro tern., set him 

 going, and keep him at it ; a constant course like this 

 for a while will soon cure him. Here again the 

 Rensum may be used with great advantage, because 

 the running rein from the bit to the saddle stops all 

 possibility of a horse getting his head down, which 

 he must do before he can kick at all. 



Bolting 



If you think your horse is likely to bolt or ' take 

 the bit in his teeth,' beware of the nasty 'snatching 

 at the bit ' that he tries time after time. Always keep 

 a firm hand on the reins and ' prepare for action.' 

 Some time since, in the Animals'' Friend, a very 



