232 BAD TO SHOE. 



however, but just to add that though in many cases fail- 

 ing, the power of the War Bridle or four-ring bit, when 

 properly used, is sometimes wonderful, the horse at once 

 submitting unconditionally. 



Tying the head to the tail so as to keep the head bent 

 around pretty well, will sometimes make a horse submit to 

 be shod, but not often. (See cut 42.) This means, with 

 that of putting the cord under the upper lip, which I copy 

 below, has been of late so extensively published as an infal- 

 lible means of making the most vicious horses stand to be 

 shod, ridden, etc., that I think it necessary to give some 

 explanation of them here : — 



" Mastering Vicious Horses. 



"Recently an exhibition was given at the corner of Ninth and Howard 

 Streets of a new and very simple method of taming vicious horses, which is 

 claimed to be superior to any in use. The first trial was with a kicking and 

 bucking mare, which, her owner says, has allowed no rider on her back for 

 five years. She became tame and gentle in as many minutes, and allowed 

 hei'self to be ridden about without a sign of her fi^rmer wildness. The means 

 by which this result was accomplished consisted of a piece of light rope, which 

 was passed around the front jaw of the mare, just above the upper teeth, 

 crossed in her mouth, and then secured back of her neck. It is claimed that 

 no horse will kick or jump when thus secured, and that a bucking horse, 

 after receiving this treatment a few times will abandon his vicious ways for- 

 ever. A very simple method was also shown by which a kicking horse can 

 be shod. It consisted in connecting the animal's head and tail by means of a 

 rope fastened to the tail and then to the bit, and drawn tightly enough to 

 incline the horse's head to one side. It is claimed that it is absolutely im- 

 possible for a horse to kick on the side of the rope. At the same exhibition 

 a horse which for many years had to be bound on the ground to be shod, suf- 

 fered the blacksmith to operate on him without attempting to kick, while 

 secured in the manner described. " 



This is from the same piece as the Maine man's method 

 of breaking a balking horse. (See " Balking.") As I brought 

 both these methods of treatment into use, and have had al- 

 most unlimited experience with them, I am able to deter- 

 mine their value with more accuracy than it is possible for 

 inexperienced persons to do. While they will secure the 

 control of many, even quite bad cases, as explained, they 

 cannot by any means be depended upon for the control of 



