THE MASTER HAND 71 



saddle can be put on and you can continue to mount 

 and dismount until he is perfectly quiet. 



THE MASTER HAND, OR TYING THE HORSE'S HEAD TO 



HIS TAIL 



This is really a scientific utilisation of the horse's strength 

 against himself. It is a great improvement on the old 

 rough and brutal way of handling either a colt or a 

 full-grown horse. 



The position is attained by tying the animal's head 

 round (with the head-collar rope) to its tail. If the 

 horse has a long tail a tail -cord is easily fixed. If the 

 horse is docked it can be done by first tying the cord 

 (strong cord) round the tail towards the top, then take 

 the middle hair and turn it up and bind the cord round 

 tightly, making a few half-hitches, then slip the end of 

 the cord through the loop of hair. Make another half- 

 hitch to secure it, then tie a loop in the end of the cord. 



To do this on a dangerous horse may seem impossible, 

 but if the near fore-leg is strapped up and the war bridle 

 used, it is quite easily done. You can swing the horse 

 round a dozen times and daze him for the time being. 



Next, take the head-collar rope or strap and put it 

 through the loop in the tail cord, then draw the head 

 round slowly to an angle of about 40 degrees. Tie 



