254 Outdoor Vices and Whims 



proceed with the bitting as suggested. This treat- 

 ment seldom if ever fails to have the desired effect. 



As soon as the horse thoroughly obeys the com- 

 mands and reins, hitch him to a vehicle and continue 

 the work. If he seems obstinate, pull him to his 

 knees; if this does not suffice, unhitch him, alternately 

 lay him down and make him go round and round 

 until he falls. As a rule, one half hour of such treat- 

 ment for three consecutive days will overcome the 

 most stubborn case. 



Kicking. — This is a very dangerous vice, though 

 formerly it was the horse's principal means of de- 

 fense. While the horse usuallv kicks backward 

 with one or both hind legs, he can kick outward and 

 forward like a cow, to reach an object near his fore- 

 legs. The causes which excite the horse to kick are 

 very numerous, chief of which are touching him in 

 some tender place, as the tail over the line, the cross- 

 piece of the vehicle striking his quarters and the 

 causes named above for provoking the horse to balk 

 (p. 249) . Lack of proper training is also an important 

 cause. The horse that is not properly educated to 

 pressure, as suggested in poling (p. 69), is the most 

 likely to develop the kicking habit; thus if a horse 

 kicks because he gets his tail over the line, or the 

 cross-piece strikes his quarters, it indicates that his 

 hind quarters were not properly educated. 



In training to overcome the habit of kicking, give 

 the horse a thorough course in poling. Attach the 



