52 Training the Work Horse 



due care should be exercised to avoid a misunder- 

 standing between the horse and his master. The 

 advice given in teaching the foal to lead (p. 34) 

 applies here, but it may be necessary to employ other 

 methods, particularly if the horse is rather stubborn. 

 While the loin-hitch, which was recommended for 

 use on the foal, is often successfully employed on 

 older horses, it sometimes happens that better re- 

 sults can be secured by the use of the tail-hitch or 

 the quarters-hitch. 



The tail-hitch. — Secure a small rope or sash-cord 

 about ten feet long, tie a stationary loop at one end, 

 place the tail through this loop and bring the free end 

 of the rope forward and pass through the ring on the 

 halter or under the jaw strap. To prevent this 

 slipping over the tail when it gets slack, take a small 

 rope and make a surcingle, placing a ring at the top 

 through which the rope leading from the tail to the 

 halter may pass (Fig. 6). 



Take the halter strap in one hand the rope in the 

 other, pull gently on the former, and as the horse 

 begins to shake his head or to step back give the 

 latter a sharp pull and the animal will move forward. 

 Caress him until he quiets, and when his confidence 

 has been restored repeat the process, using the rope 

 when needed. In a few minutes the horse will follow 

 where led and the rope may be removed. 



While this hitch is a very effective method of teach- 

 ing a horse to lead, care should be exercised in its 



