296 Stable Vices and Whims 



come this habit in case it is confirmed, remove the 

 horse from the stall and give him a complete course 

 in subjection with either the tail-rope or the throw- 

 ing-harness. Thoroughly teach him the commands, 

 especially ^^whoa" and ^^ steady." Place him back 

 in the stall, attach the war bridle modified (p. 192) 

 and when he kicks punish him severely with the bri- 

 dle. Endeavor to make him kick, then punish him 

 for doing so. Continue until he becomes per- 

 fectly submissive while you pass around him and 

 handle his hind quarters. 



As a precaution, arrange an appliance to pull his 

 head up to the side of the stall whenever you wish 

 to enter, similar to that suggested for refusing ad- 

 mission (p. 286). Another device that some per- 

 sons prefer in teaching the horse to stand over is 

 made from a surcingle and long rope. The surcingle 

 is placed about the horse and one end of the rope 

 tied in the ring on the left side of the halter; the 

 free end is then passed back and through the ring 

 at the top of the surcingle, and tied at some con- 

 venient place near the rear of the stall. Now by 

 pulling the rope we pull the horse's head to the 

 left and his hind quarters to the right, thus enabling 

 one to enter the stall without risk. 



There are several ways of overcoming ''night 

 kicking," or kicking to hear the noise. A very 

 simple yet effective plan is to suspend from the 

 ceiling a bag of hay in such a position that when 



