Balky Horses. 83 



ly, if you let them stand five or ten minutes, as though 

 there was nothing wrong, and then speak to them with 

 a steady voice, and turn them a little to the right or 

 left, so as to get them both in motion before they feel 

 the pinch of the load. But if you want to start a team 

 that you are not driving yourself, that has been balked, 

 fooled, and whipped for some time, go to them and 

 hang the lines on their names, or fasten them to the 

 wagon, so that they will be perfectly loose : make the 

 driver and spectators, (if there are any,) stand off 

 some distance to one side, so as not to attract the at- 

 tention of the horses ; loosen their check-reins, so that 

 they can get their heads down, if they choose ; let 

 them stand a few minutes in this condition, until you 

 see that they are a little composed. While they are 

 standing, you should be about their heads, gentling 

 them : it will make them a little more kind. When 

 you are ready to start, stand before them, and as you 

 seldom have but one balky horse in a team, get as 

 near in front of him as you can, and if he is too fast for 



But what shall we do with a horse who has thoroughly learned to balk, and 

 whom whipping only hardens? Desperate remedies should sometimes be used 

 for desperate ca3es, and you may in such cases either kill your horse as not be- 

 ing worthy the oats you give him, or you may fasten him to a strong carriage, 

 put on a strong harness and reins, and if he balks, set fire to a bunch of shavings 

 or a newspaper at his heels, or a bunch of fire crackers ; or exciting his spirits by 

 the application of spirits of turpentine under his tail ; he is bound to go In such 

 case — perhaps too fast for you — but of this you must run your risk. It is a des- 

 perate remedy, but when kindness and good treatment do not succeed, such a 

 remedy will succeed better, and is more humane than beating, unmerciful whip- 

 ping, &c., which seldom succeed at all. 



In India when a horse can and will not draw, instead of whipping, spurring 

 or burning him, they quietly get a rope and attaching it to one of the fore feet, 

 one or two men take hold of it, and advancing a few paces ahead of the horse, 

 pull their best. No matter how stubborn the animal may be, a few doses of such 

 treatment effects a perfect cure. 



