Overcoming a Halter-pulling Horse 271 



the horse to pull. The instant he feels the pressure 

 about the body he bounds forward and stands close 

 to the post. To avoid any possibilities of his pulling 

 in the future, with an umbrella, flag or other strange 

 object force him back into the rope rapidly so as to 

 cause him sufficient pain to fix it in his mind. Since 

 it is natural for him to flee from pain, he springs for- 

 ward to relieve himself from the pain around the 

 body. After two or three such pulls he will crowd 

 the post so closely that a string will probably hold 

 him as securely as a chain. 



Occasionally one will meet with a confirmed 

 halter-puller that is reluctant to give up. He will 

 go back into the rope, and notwithstanding the pain 

 about his body he pulls stubbornly. He may pull 

 until he falls and spring to his feet and try again. 

 After he struggles for a time, force him back into 

 the rope severely by tapping him across the nose 

 with the whip. This throws him into the rope with 

 such force as to increase the pain about the body 

 which, coupled with the fright caused by the whip 

 at the nose, never fails to bring him forward. Caress 

 him and treat him kindly while he stands by the post. 

 Should he start to pull again, force him into the rope 

 severely as before but as soon as he comes forward, 

 caress him. After a few such struggles it will be 

 difficult to get him away from the post. Three or 

 four lessons on as many days will overcome the most 

 stubborn of halter-pullers. 



