DETAILS OF TEEATMENT. 179 



matter what the aggravation, there will be no inclination to 

 repeat the habit. 



Switching Kickers. 



When a horse is greatly excited and irritated by fear 

 or abuse, his nervous system is liable to become so sensi- 

 tive that he will squeal and switch. This is more common 

 to mares which are more impressible than horses ; conse- 

 quently, when badly spoiled, they are more difficult to 

 break. In this form it becomes involuntary resistance, or 

 a species of insanity, and in extreme cases very difficult to 

 overcome. The point is, if possible, to make a sufficiently 

 strong, counteracting impression to overcome this. Very 

 much will depend upon how much the nervous system has 

 been shaken, and the peculiarity of disposition. Some of 

 the worst kickers I have ever handled were colts which had 

 been greatly frightened and abused in breaking. The course 

 I pursue with such is about as follows : — 



If the case is one that will bear impressing sufficiently 

 to overcome the kicking, I subject to regular treatment as 

 advised for ordinary cases, directing my attention particu- 

 larly to accustoming the quarters to being touched. Fail- 

 ing in this, I use direct means of restraint, such as the 

 kicking-s traps or over-draw checks. The kicking will now 

 punish so severely that there will soon be fear to repeat 

 it. The straps should be used in driving for some little 

 time after the inclination to kick is overcome. 



Kicking-Straps. 



These straps should be cut at least two inches wide ; 

 they should be mjide of two thicknesses of good harness 

 leather, sewed together and fitted so they will come nicely 

 around the leg between the fetlock and gambrel. There 

 should be a strong wrought iron D stitched on the front 



