188 KICKING. 



Kicking whp:n Struck with the Whip in Driving, 



Some horses are usually gentle until struck or touched 

 with a whip on the back or flanks, which they will resist 

 by kicking. Or v/hen not going fast enough, if hit sharply 

 with a whip, the response is a kick. There is usually no 

 fear of the wagon or of anything exhibited ; it is simply a 

 sullen resistance, and unless treated properly is a A^ery ugly 

 habit to overcome. 



For a simple, ordinary case of this kind, put on the War 

 Bridle, and after giving a few sharp pulls with it, touch 

 him over the back with a whip, at each repetition striking 

 harder until he can be struck quite hard without resisting. 

 Should he kick, punish sharply^with the cord, and repeat 

 until there is no resistance. Now put on the harness with 

 reins through the shaft-bearers, and drive around, touching 

 gradually over hips and back. Should there be resistance, 

 punish sharply with War Bridle, which should be left on 

 under the bridle. Simply repeat until successful. This 

 should be all that is necessary to do to break any young 

 horse. But if the horse is very bad, it will be likely to 

 fail. In such a case, subject to either method, as may be 

 found advisable. If tlie First Method be tried, touch with 

 the whip after throwing. If the Third, while pressure is 

 on, touch or strike lightly in the same manner whenever 

 sensitive, until there is no resistance. If Second Method 

 is used, touch the part while the horse is going around. In 

 either case the point must be made thoroughly. Now put 

 on the harness ; if a Breaking Bit or Patent Bridle is avail- 

 able, it should be used. If the horse will go ahead freely 

 at command, the work will usually be sufficient. But if 

 he sulks, refusing to go against the bit, the case will be 

 serious. In such cases proceed about as follows : — 

 "^ Get a good bow whip of the best quality, from six to 



