76 KICKING IN HARNESS. 



I ever saw, or ever expect to see. All ordinary treatment 

 was only as play to this horse. Circumstances made 

 it necessary to break up the habit, and I felt compelled to 

 do so, and succeeded only after three lessons. Never did 

 a horse resist more bravely, but I succeeded in making the 

 animal so gentle as to submit the wagon against the heels 

 going down hill, and he was driven by me a week after 

 being broken, in the presence of a large concourse of peo- 

 ple, proving safe and gentle afterwards. 



Breaking of kicking, as with most other habits, requires 

 thoroughness in what is attempted. If there is more fear 

 than willfulness, the fear must be thoroughly overcome. If 

 based upon willfulness, that must be mastered at any 

 hazard. In either case, put through a careful but thorough 

 course of subjection, exciting resistance by rubbing a stick 

 of some kind against and between the legs until there is no 

 resistance; now put on harness and breaking bit, and com- 

 pel perfect submission to its restraint. Let the hind legs 

 be touched as before, and at each indication of resistance, 

 punish sharply; with the reins back the animal against a rail 

 fence or anything convenient. If there is perfect submis- 

 sion, back into the shafts of the wagon, or bring the shafts 

 over the back gently. This is a step requiring much cau- 

 tion and firmness. Stand at the left shoulder, grasping the 

 rein near the bit firmly, and as the shafts are brought for- 

 ward, and the cross-piece comes in contact with the legs, if 

 there is much sensitiveness shown, give him a sharp, quick 

 jerk upon the reins, which will at once disconcert the 

 horse, and at the same time throw the head so high as to 

 make it difficult for him to kick. Force this point well, 

 until the contact of the wagon is borne, when the harness 

 may be attached. Now drive around gently, stopping and 

 starting repeatedly, carefully observing how much forcing 

 the horse will bear. If there is no indication of serious 

 resistance, follow up by driving around, until there is per- 

 fect submission. At each repetition of being hitched to a 

 wagon for a few days, let the horse be backed against the 

 cross-piece several times until it is borne without flinching. 



This precaution of testing repeatedly is absolutely essen- 

 tial to prevent and overcome any growing sensibility or 

 confidence of ability to kick when driven, until there is not 

 discovered any disposition to indulge in the habit. 



