202 Training Wild and Subduing Vicious Horses 



the head between the ears and bring one end down 

 either side just back of the jaws, twist the ropes 

 together, then bring each end forward and around the 

 rope in the mouth, one on either side; next pass the 

 free ends back through the rings in the surcingle, 

 and then carry them on back behind the horse, and 

 you have a very efficient combination bridle and 

 lines for controlling a wild horse (Fig. 56). 



Kicking strap. — This is used to prevent the horse 

 from kicking when in the shafts. It is made from 

 leather, which always should be of the very best and 

 should not be less than two inches wide, and of such 

 length as will reach from one shaft over the horse's 

 rump to the other shaft (Fig. 17). When the strap 

 is fixed in its keepers there should be practically no 

 play in the strap between the shafts and the rump 

 of the horse. 



Kicking reins. — These reins are useful in control- 

 ling the horse that bucks as well as the one that kicks. 

 To make them, secure two small ropes or sash-cords 

 about eighteen feet long. Put an overdraw check on 

 the horse with a ring just back of the ears. Take 

 one of the small ropes, tie one end in the ring on the 

 overcheck just back of the ears, pass the free end 

 down through the ring at the top of the surcingle, 

 then forward and through the ring of the bridle bit, 

 then back through the ring on the side of the sur- 

 cingle. Put the other rope on the other side in a 

 similar manner. These cords can be used as. lines, 



