290 Stable Vices and Whims 



In the sale stables one frequently observes a 

 vicious horse being curried while an assistant quiets 

 him with the lip-twitch. This twitch causes the 

 horse such pain on the upper lip that he does not 

 notice the currycomb and hence does not resist 

 currying, but it does not overcome the habit, for 

 when the twitch is removed, the horse becomes as 

 bad as before, if not worse. 



Difficult to harness. — This may become a very 

 dangerous habit, as some horses kick with the hind 

 feet, strike with the forefeet, bite, rear, or try to 

 lie down as one approaches to harness them. As 

 in most other forms of vice, it is largely due to lack 

 of proper training, and the correct way to over- 

 come it is to do the training over again. To begin 

 with, the horse should be made thoroughly famihar 

 with the uses of the bit and obedient to the com- 

 mands, much as suggested for the balker (p. 249). 

 In the second place he should be made perfectly 

 familiar with pressure applied to all parts of the 

 body, as suggested for the kicker (p. 254). In this 

 poling work, give special attention to the top of 

 the head, the back, the abdomen and the tail, as 

 these are the parts where the harness presses. Next 

 attach the war bridle modified (p. 192), and after 

 permitting the horse to smell and feel the harness 

 with his nose, gently place it on his back. Do not 

 throw it over his back, as the loose straps dangling 

 about his abdomen and legs may excite him to kick, 



