Overcoming a Kicking Horse 255 



double safety (p. 208) and guy rope (p. 201), or some 

 prefer the war bridle (p. 191) to the guy rope. At 

 first refrain from touching the hind legs until you 

 are satisfied that progress has been made. As soon 

 as he will let you rub the body as far back as the 

 quarters without any indication or disposition to 

 kick, then pass the pole gently toward the hocks. 

 If he shows a disposition to kick, work the pole up 

 toward the quarters, then begin to work down gradu- 

 ally as before. If possible do not entirely remove 

 the pole from the horse. Continue until he becomes 

 submissive. If during the poling lesson he offers 

 to resist, pull him to his knees and continue the work. 

 If he is exceedingly game, attach the thro wing-har- 

 ness (p. 212), lay him on the ground and pole him 

 while down. When he becomes submissive while 

 down, let him up and continue the poling as before. 

 After his hind legs are submissive, crupper him as 

 suggested (p. 70), employing the appliance if neces- 

 sary to control him. 



Now harness the horse, arranging the breast-band 

 and breeching rather loosely and placing the traces 

 through the rings on the breeching, so that the ends 

 will flap about the hind legs and quarters. If he 

 resents the pressure from the loose harness and kicks, 

 stop him instantly and attach the war bridle and 

 double safety, or better still, attach the appliance 

 at the time of harnessing if the animal promises to 

 give trouble. Now try him again, and if he kicks, 



