GETTING TAIL OVER REIN. 363 



lie down (see page 161), or by keeping him on the ground 

 with his head pulled round (see page 165). 



Getting the tail over the rein and kicking when in 

 harness. — I regret to say that I know no means of per- 

 manently breaking a horse of the habit of whisking his 

 tail over the rein at times when it is within reach. We 

 may, however, by driving the animal on foot, and accustom- 

 ing him to bear the rein under the tail, or by using the 

 rope-twitch (see page 132), teach him not to kick when 

 he finds the rein in that position. I presume that the 

 horse might be taught, by the rope-twitch, not to whisk his 

 tail over the rein on feeling it touch his hind-quarters ; 

 although, not having practically tested this expedient, I 

 cannot speak positively as to its merits. I have rendered 

 several animals which were previously addicted to the habit 

 in question, quiet when the rein got under their tails, or 

 touched their quarters, by the means described ; or 

 by gentling those parts when the animal was tied 

 head and tail (see page 169). I have met some cases 

 in which the kicking was caused by pain, due to pressure 

 on melanotic tumours that were on the under surface of 

 the dock. 



Lying down in harness. — We should make the animal 

 obey the indications of the reins, by driving him on foot 

 with the long reins ; at first by himself, and finally in a 

 trap. If he lies down, a sharp slap on his muzzle will 

 generally make him jump up. The most effective means 

 for curing this vice is making the horse lie down and hold- 



