CHAPTER IV. 



WHIMS AND VICES. 



Managing the Balky Horse — Tail-rubbing — Kicking — The 

 Puller — Pawing — Rolling in the Stable — Tearing the 

 Blanket. 



For a balky horse the only persuaders that should be 

 allowed are the spade and post. They should be carried in 

 the wagon and the spade made to set the post at the horse's 

 head wherever he makes his first stand. Here he should be 

 firmly tied without unharnessing and left until thoroughly 

 tired of standing. If he will not go on then without the 

 whip he should be left several hours more, always without 

 food or drink until he finds he is punishing himself, which 

 almost any horse of intelligence will conclude after standing 

 from thirty to thirty-six hours. When the poor beast does 

 start amiably, he should be praised and petted without stint. 

 After a horse has reached twelve years of age, and perhaps 

 balked and been abused for it most of this time, it may be 

 doubtful if he can be reformed. 



Some teamsters start a balky horse by taking him from 

 the wagon and making him turn around in a short circle until 

 giddy. If he doesn't go after the first dance of this sort re- 

 peat the process. 



To cure a horse of rubbing his tail, wash the dock with 

 warm water and good yellow soap (not soft soap), and thor- 



