244 



BALKING. 



The next day I hitched her up auain, and commenced 

 cautiously as before, spending only a few minutes, but re- 

 quiring her to go farther and faster until on a sharp trot 

 or run. I repeated this lesson again next day until she 

 could be driven as desired. The point of success was that 

 I made the lessons short, and was careful not to do more at 

 a time than she would bear. I could even make her stop 



in a mud-hole and stand as 

 long as I wished her to, and 

 then at command she would 

 pull out gently. Those who 

 knew the mare were quite 

 surprised to see me drive 

 her, and regarded it a great 

 feat. In reality it was no 

 feat at all, but merely the 

 result of a little patient 

 management, which it is not 

 difficult for any one to prac- 

 tice. This mode of treat- 

 ment is especially adajjted to nervous horses that will not 

 bear pushing. 



There is nothing that so tries a man's temper and pa- 

 tience as a sullen balker. One may resolve to be patieiit, 

 but after reasonable efforts with kind treatment, and fail- 

 ing, he determines to see what a whip will do. Some men 

 in anger will strike a horse over the ears, twist and pull 

 his tongue severely, and yet not be able to make the ani- 

 mal flinch. A balking horse of spirit, thoroughly maddened 

 by such treatment, may resist the most severe punishment. 

 Horses have been known, when excited in this way, to 

 sullenly stand even the burning of straw under them. 

 The skin on the legs and body is so thick, and has so little 

 sensibility, th^t when the blood is thoroughly warmed up. 



Fig. I'.H). — Slow, pati(;nt nature — not 

 disposed to balk. 



