Snaring a Wild Horse 225 



dexterously, and besides, the method is not consid- 

 ered a good one by horse trainers generally, as it often 

 results in injury to the animal. To catch the wild 

 horse, drive him into a small inclosure. It is a very 

 easy matter to drive a wild horse if gentle horses 

 are turned loose with the wild one and all are driven 

 together. Secure a soft, three-eighths inch rope and 

 tie a running loop in one end. Enter the inclosure 

 with the horse. He will try to get away by running 

 to the farthest corner, and as you walk in one direction 

 he will walk in another. Place the loop upon the 

 ground and walk the horse around until he steps 

 into it with his left front foot (Fig. 73). Pull the 

 rope quickly, so that it will slip up to the pastern, 

 and then hold fast. When the horse feels the rope 

 on his pastern he will try to shake it off, but do not 

 let him, for once he gets it off he will spend half his 

 time thereafter trying to get it off again. Pull his 

 foot toward you and do not let him put it down 

 squarely, but make him put it down eight to ten 

 inches from where it would be normally. If he re- 

 fuses by shaking his head and running about, do not 

 punish him, but pull his foot again. After a time 

 he will become tired and place his foot at the place 

 you have selected. 



After the horse becomes submissive to having 

 his foot pulled about, approach him and put your 

 hand on his shoulder, but not on his head. If he 

 refuses to let you touch his shoulder, pull on the 



