84 BALKING. 



BALKING. 



This habit is usually caused by confusing and overload- 

 ing, or trying to force too much by whipping when 

 exhausted, or when the draught from some cause becomes 

 too great for the horse to manage, thereby exciting and dis- 

 couraging the horse before able to settle down to a steady, 

 determined pull. When a horse, and especially a young 

 one, becomes mad, and will not pull when commanded, 

 there should not be a word or an action that would betray 

 an understanding of the resistance. Change position — take 

 up time in some way by fixing the harness or walking 

 around, whistling or singing, if in the mood. There must 

 not be any appearance of anger. Give the horse time to 

 get over the irritation and become willing to use his strength 

 against the collar. Any characteristic of willfulness denotes 

 spirit and sensibility, consequently not disposed to submit 

 to being rudely and injudiciously forced in harness. If 

 double, get both horses to start evenly. This can be done 

 best, and greatly lessen the weight of the load in starting, 

 by standing directly in front of both horses, catching the 

 bits with the hands. Now move the horses gently to the 

 right or left, until the wheel almost strikes the side of the 

 wagon — giving them time to become steady. When you see 

 they are ready, speak with cheerful, encouraging voice, 

 *'come boys." If this precaution is taken, there will be no 

 further trouble ; but bear in mind that the horses must not 

 now be permitted to go to the limit of their strength. 

 When they are still pulling with energy, at the first favora- 

 ble place stop them. After ample time to recuperate, speak 

 to them gently to go. It seems to be natural for a horse to 

 go ahead and draw all he can, and it is only when confused, 

 excited and abused in the most unreasonable and imprudent 

 manner, that the disposition is ^excited to balk. When 

 once the habit is acquired, it is liable at any moment to be 

 persisted in if excited or much force is used. 



If there is any treatment to which horses are subject in 

 educating to harness that is unreasonable and needlessly 

 harsh, and should be corrected, it is that of pounding or 

 whipping to make them go, when perhaps the animals are 

 confused and discouraged, and not in a condition to make 

 much of an effort. 



