METHODS OF HORSE-CONTROL. 



through the lower part of the buckle. An ordinary stirrup 

 leather would, therefore, require a few seconds longer to 

 apply, than if more holes had been punched, which it is 

 prudent to do, in order to save time, if we have got to 

 tie up the leg of a difficult or dangerous horse. 



Blindfolding a horse. — After the animal has been 

 secured in the manner described, or after he has been 

 simply haltered, a further step in the process of rendering 

 him helpless may be taken by throwing a rug or other 

 convenient cloth over his head, and then applying the rope- 

 twitch (see page 132). If he be dangerous to approach, 

 the rug may be placed on the end of a long pole, and then 

 brought over his head, or a blindfolding halter may be put 

 on, now, or in the first instance. This appliance is, I 

 believe, of French origin. It consists of an ordinary head- 

 stall, with a cloth filling up the space between the cheek- 

 pieces, brow-band, and nose-band, so as to cover the 

 horse's eyes. 



Bhndfolding is an efficient means of control with the 

 majority of horses ; although it excites some to offer more 

 vigorous resistance than they would otherwise do. I have 

 never found a horse which would, when blindfolded, attempt 

 to kick or strike out on the chance of hitting his man, 

 unless he was touched about the limbs or body ; nor bite, 

 whether touched or not, under similar circumstances. I 

 therefore think that the breaker runs no risk whatsoever in 

 going up to the animal's head when it has thus been tem- 

 porarily deprived of sight, no matter how vicious the horse 

 may be. 



