Overcoming a Runaway Horse 261 



comes deaf to all restraint. It often happens that 

 the driver removes the bridle to give the horse a 

 drink by the roadside. This is an unsafe practice, 

 as the horse may become frightened, especially if he 

 is driven with blinds, as removing them increases 

 the range of his vision and he sees objects in the 

 rear which he had not noticed before, and in his ex- 

 citement runs away. 



To overcome the habit of running away, it is neces- 

 sary to put the horse through much the same course 

 as in balking, kicking and shying (p. 249). First 

 of all make him thoroughly obedient to the com- 

 mands and uses of the bit. After familiarizing him 

 with objects, such as papers, flags, umbrellas, robes 

 and the like; and to sound, as pans, sleigh-bells, 

 steam cars and the firing of guns, hitch him to the 

 vehicle with the safety ropes attached. After driv- 

 ing him about for a time, give him the opportunity 

 to run away. When he gets down to a good run 

 command "steady" and begin to restrain his front 

 feet with the ropes. Slacken him gradually until 

 slow enough to permit a sudden stop, then give the 

 command "whoa" and bring him to his knees. For 

 this work it is necessary to pad the knees (Fig. 27), 

 otherwise he will injure them. Repeat this a couple 

 of times, and about the third, instead of using the 

 safety rope to bring him to his knees, give him a se- 

 vere set-back with the lines by having the left line 

 tight and giving a severe pull with the right, thus giv- 



