212 KICKING.— ILLUSTKATIYE CASES. 



management of these cases becomes still easier and sim- 

 j^ler. 



Case 7. — McVay Horse. 



This case was very nearly like the last one referred to, 

 with the exception of a large blending of the nervous tem- 

 perament with that of the sullen or sulky nature, and, of 

 course, was more intense in resistance. She had kicked 

 from the time she was a colt, and had become so fixed in 

 the habit that she would kick and squeal as soon as the 

 door of her stable was opened. As this is a very remark- 

 able case I will give its history : — 



The firm of Mc Vay & Allison bought of L. L. Dorsey, 

 of Kentucky, the well-known breeder of " Gold Dust " trot- 

 ting stock, three young mares and a staUion. One of these 

 mares w^as a most desperate kicker, and considered a hope- 

 less case. She was sold at an exceedingly low price to get 

 rid of her. The buyers supposed they had an especially 

 good bargain, not anticipating any trouble in breaking her. 

 Upon getting the horses home, the most persistent effort 

 was made to break this mare, employing for the pur- 

 pose, at different times, the most successful horse-breakers 

 to be found m that part of the State. Every effort only 

 left her worse than before. At the time of my visit there 

 she was seven years old, and regarded by her owners as 

 worthless. 



In spite of the most liberal advertising in this town, I 

 found it impossible to excite the least interest in my efforts ; 

 and as a last resort offered to forfeit $500, if I could not 

 subdue and drive without breeching, in forty minutes, any 

 horse that could be produced. I was entirely ignorant of 

 this mare, which, as can be seen, was an unusually difficult 

 case, or I would not have ventured taking such a risk. 

 The owners^ supposing they had a sure thin^ on this mar§ 



