Haltering a Wild Horse 227 



having his foot drawn out from under him. While 

 the horse is doing this running about, you stand in the 

 center of the inclosure and keep him on the outside. 

 When he will permit the rope over his back, bring 

 the free end under his body, and pass it in front of 

 the perpendicular rope leading to the foot. This 

 is important. If you pass the free end behind the 

 rope leading to the foot and the horse should suc- 

 ceed at any time in getting in front of you, it would 

 pull off over his tail and you would have to begin 

 over again. 



Now you have a hitch somewhat similar to the 

 single safety (p. 208). If the horse starts to act up, 

 to calm him pull the rope which holds up one front 

 foot. As soon as he quiets let the foot down. He 

 rapidly learns that he must choose between stand- 

 ing quiet and having his foot drawn up. As he 

 does not like to have his foot suspended he will let 

 you caress him, when he may be haltered without 

 risk. 



Haltering a loose horse. — The precautions neces- 

 sary to be taken in haltering a loose horse will de- 

 pend on his vice. A good plan for haltering one not 

 too wild is as follows. Drive him into a small square 

 inclosure. Have a long pole and enter the inclosure 

 with him. He will, of course, rush into the farthest 

 corner and try to get away. When he is measur- 

 ably quiet, touch him gently on the crest with the 

 long stick ; as a horse likes to have the top of the 



