252 BALKING. 



in the meantime talking, walking around, and rattling the 

 wagon. A little care should be used, especially after idle 

 spells, to hold the attention ])y giving apples, etc., or have 

 some one stand at his head and talk to him, but not to take 

 up the reins until able to start. If in a barn, keep the door 

 shut until ready to start. 



Balking Double. 



When a horse throws himself in the breeching sullenly, 

 with his head over the other horse's neck, as if to say, 

 " Make me go if you can ! " it will try a man's patience very 

 much, and unless he knows how to overcome the difficulty, 

 he will be likely to retaliate by kicking, pounding, etc., 

 which is likely to do more harm than good. Many 

 horses are led into this habit by badly fitting collars, that 

 either choke or make the shoulders so sore that it becomes 

 painful to push steadily or firndy. 



When hitched to a load, care should be used to prevent 

 pulling so hard and long at a time as to get out of breath. 

 Neither should a stop be made in a soft place, or where a 

 steady, heavy pull to start will be required. The team 

 should be kept fresh, and encouraged by stopping often and 

 giving the horses a chance to recover breath. In pulling 

 up hill or very steep places, a good rest should be given be- 

 fore starting. If one or both horses become confused, and 

 balk, let them stand until they recover fully. Then stand 

 in front, take both by the head, and move them to the right 

 or left. It is sometimes advisable to turn them both ways. 

 When you get them to move together, say gently and en- 

 courngingly, " Come, boys ! " or any word to Avhich they are 

 accustomed. Much depends upon the skill of the driver 

 in bringing them up against the collar with assurance, and 

 in helping them to break the force of the dead pull in start- 

 ing, by moving partly sideways. If the wheels are sunk 



