76 Training the Work Horse 



buggy or carriage by fastening two long poles, hick- 

 ory or any tough, springy wood, to the axle and by 

 fastening a cross-bar and whiffletree in front and 

 a board seat in the rear. The shafts should be 

 twelve or fourteen feet long, with provision at the 

 ends for the attachment of a strap across from 

 point to point to prevent the horse, in rearing, from 

 throwing his front legs over the ends of the shafts. 

 Training-carts can be purchased on any market 

 where buggies are sold. Many of these carts are 

 provided with steps in the rear, which add to the 

 utility. 



Such a cart possesses many advantages, particu- 

 larly in the training of stubborn and unruly horses. 

 In rearing, the horse strikes his front legs against 

 the strap in front and goes no higher ; in kicking, 

 he is so far ahead of the vehicle and driver that he 

 does little or no damage ; in turning around suddenly, 

 he is obliged to make so large a circle that he either 

 gets over his fright or becomes discouraged before 

 going far ; in throwing himself, the shafts are so long 

 and springy that little or no damage is done ; in 

 running away, all that need be done is to give him 

 his head a moment until the muscles of the neck are 

 relaxed, and then, by giving a swinging pull with 

 one line, his head is turned so far to one side that he 

 must either stop or fall; and should the horse refuse 

 to obey the bit in turning around, we have but to 

 dismount, pull gently on one rein and at the same 



