266 Outdoor Vices and Whims 



the switching of the tail indicates a predisposition 

 to kick. To overcome the habit, put the horse 

 through the course suggested to overcome kicking. 

 While such a course may seem long and tedious, 

 it is essential, as both kicking and switching the tail 

 are due to vicious tempers, and the horse must be sub- 

 dued before either habit can be permanently overcome. 



There are several appliances that are very effective 

 in preventing the horse from switching his tail, par- 

 ticularly in the case of a mild-tempered animal. 

 Secure a strap about one inch wide and of sufficient 

 length to reach from the crupper to the breeching. 

 On one end have a loop made so that the crupper can 

 be run through it. On the other end arrange a 

 buckle so the end may be buckled around the breech- 

 ing. This end should be buckled rather loosely, so as 

 to permit it to slide easily on the breeching. Get 

 two short straps, of sufficient length to buckle around 

 the tail under the hair, and sew these crossways of 

 the former strap, the upper one about four inches 

 from the top loop and the second four inches below 

 the upper. With the former strap placed around 

 the crupper, under the tail and buckled to the breech- 

 ing, buckle the two short straps around the tail under 

 the hair, and you have an appliance that will keep the 

 horse from switching the tail far enough to catch the 

 lines (Fig. 79). 



Another appliance that is fairly effective in pre- 

 venting the horse from switching his tail is made as 



