Overcoming a Lugging Horse 281 



Lugging. — The horse that continually pulls on 

 the bit is spoken of as a lugger. The habit is very 

 common and exceedingly difficult to overcome. 

 It is usually due to improper bitting, the use of a 

 severe bit having paralyzed the muscles of the mouth 

 to such an extent that as a rule no matter what kind 

 of bit is used, it has no effect whatever. Occa- 

 sionally, however, a change of bits will prove bene- 

 ficial. To overcome the habit, it is necessary first 

 that the horse be perfectly obedient to the commands. 

 As his mouth has lost its sensitiveness, it will be 

 necessary to teach commands by employing the double 

 safety rope and either the guy line or Yankee bridle, 

 much as suggested in overcoming balking (p. 249). 

 Continue the work as suggested until he becomes 

 obedient to the commands without the use of the 

 lines. Next, with the double safety rope still 

 attached, hitch to a vehicle. Now instead of pulling 

 on the lines to steady him give the command 

 ^ ^steady," and if he does not obey, begin to inter- 

 fere with his legs by pulling on the rope. Do not 

 pull on the lines in every event; if he is stubborn 

 and will not steady, pull him to his knees, at the same 

 time giving a see-saw pull on the lines. Continue this 

 until he understands that the slight see-saw motion of 

 the lines means to go steady. If he is very game, use 

 the throwing appliance or the tail-rope to subdue him. 



Boring. — The horse that lugs or pulls more on one 

 rein than on the other is said to '' bore." The causes 



