Poling the Horse 69 



between the pressure of the collar and the breeching, 

 he is so excited that he does not heed the commands 

 of the driver, who often becomes aggravated and 

 strikes the animal a sharp cut with the whip. This 

 frightens the already excited horse, and he moves 

 forward with a bound. The driver then jerks him 

 backward and holds a tight line. Thus the horse is 

 punished both at the mouth and in the rear. By 

 this time the animal's confusion is complete, and he 

 is likely to rear, kick, run away or do anything to 

 free himself. 



A little patient effort spent in familiarizing the 

 horse with the pressure of the harness and shafts, 

 and in teaching him what is expected of him, will 

 avoid all such confusion and risk. 



Poling the horse. — Before harnessing or hitching, 

 the horse should be made familiar with the pressure 

 caused by the harness and shafts. To do this, 

 procure ^ light pole five or six feet long, and let the 

 horse smell and feel it with his nose (Fig. 11). Gently 

 rub the pole over the nose, the side of the face and 

 up to the mane and . crest. After scratching the 

 crest pass the pole back to the withers, down over 

 the shoulder, and along the outside and inside of the 

 forelegs. Pass the pole along the back to the hind 

 quarters, down along the outside and inside of the 

 hind legs. Repeat the process first on one side, 

 and then on the other, rubbing every part of the 

 body (Fig. 12). 



