284 Outdoor Vices and Whims 



his head on the post to get relief, and perhaps breaks 

 some part, which gives him reUef and permits the 

 bridle to slip off. Thus he learns that when the 

 bridle annoys him he gets relief by rubbing it off. 

 When too large, the bridle hangs so loosely that in 

 moving the head about, the bridle catches on the rack 

 and the horse slips his head out. To avoid this 

 habit, use a properly fitting bridle (p. 325). To over- 

 come it when once established, use a properly fit- 

 ting bridle with both a nose- and chin-band fitted 

 snugly, as such a bridle cannot be stripped off without 

 great difficulty, though to avoid any risk use a neck- 

 strap fitted snugly and with the tie strap run through 

 the ring at the bit, and secured to the post or 

 hitching rack. 



Refusing to stand. — Some horses have the very 

 aggravating habit of refusing to stand while you 

 get in the vehicle and arrange the robes. This is 

 due simply to lack of proper training, and to over- 

 come the habit it is necessary to teach them to obey 

 the commands thoroughly. The horse must be 

 taught that '^whoa" means to stand quietly until 

 ordered to move on. If he fails to respond to gentle 

 treatment, put him through the course suggested 

 in overcoming balking (p. 249). Then with the double 

 safety still attached, hitch him to a vehicle, and if he 

 moves while you are arranging things, severely jerk 

 him to his knees and hold him there a few minutes. 

 Continue until he obeys. 



