TAMING HORSES. 155 



by the side of some steady horse ; have check-lines 

 on them ; tie up all the traces and straps, so that 

 there will be nothing to excite them ; do not rein 

 them up, but let them have their heads loose. 

 Walk them about together for some time as slowly 

 and lazily as possible; stop often, and go up to 

 your balky horse and gentle him. Do not take 

 any whip about him, or do anything to excite him, 

 but keep him just as quiet as you can. He will 

 soon learn to start off at the word, and stop when- 

 ever you tell him. 



As soon as he performs rightly, hitch him in an 

 empty wagon; have it stand in a favorable po- 

 sition for starting. It would be well to shorten the 

 stay-chain behind the steady horse, so that if it is 

 necessary, he can take the weight of the wagon 

 the first time you start them. Do not drive but a 

 few rods at first ; watch your balky horse closely, 

 and if you see that he is getting excited, stop him 

 before he stops of his own accord, caress him a lit- 

 tle, and start again. As soon as they go well, 

 drive them over a small hill a few times, and then 

 over a larger one, occasionally adding a little load. 



This process will make any horse true to pull. 



