42 BREAKING AND TRAINING 



horse such as a kicker. In order to apply it, you require 

 a breast band and breeching, which are connected to 

 running straps, and in addition, a couple of straps 

 are needed to go over the back of the animal, these in 

 their turn being joined by a short back strap. When 

 the apparatus is properly fixed on, the breast bands 

 should be at the top of the fore-arms, and the breech- 

 ing ought to rest on a level with this, i.e., just below 

 the stifles. 



The traces or strap connecting breeching and 

 breast band must, to be effectual, be pulled up moder- 

 ately tight and fixed in the keepers. The hippo-lasso 

 is an appliance which has a very subduing influence 

 upon all horses. 



Blindfolding. — It is often necessary to blind- 

 fold a horse so that he cannot watch the movements 

 of persons around him. This is generally a proceeding 

 without any difficulty. You may either throw an 

 ordinary horse rug over the animal's head or, if you 

 like them better, the leather blinds which are sold 

 by saddlers may be used instead. Should an 

 animal prove very vicious under this treatment, it 

 may be advisable to put on halter-twitch. 



