GENERAL REMARKS. 



155 



FIG. 127. Docile character. 



I drove a few tacks into a shingle, filed the ends sharp, 

 and of equal length, and hacked them into the skin a little 

 to cause irritation. Next day on touching his rump with 

 a pin, he kicked readily. A few repetitions made him so 

 sensitive that even the lightest 

 touch on the part with the 

 finger, or even a motion to- 

 ward the hip, would make him 

 kick as high as I wished, which 

 he would do ever afterward. 

 This is teaching to kick. 



Now if a horse is violently 

 excited by any cause, such as 

 by catching the rein under the 

 tail, the breeching breaking or 

 being too long, so as to allow the cross-piece or shafts to 

 come against the quarters, etc., it would excite kicking, 



and the habit is taught 

 precisely as if by inten- 

 tion. It is seen that af- 

 ter starting the horse in 

 kicking, at each repe- 

 tition of being touched 

 or hurt he will kick the 

 harder. So in learning 

 by chance to kick in har- 

 ness, the greater the ex- 

 citement and fear pro- 

 duced and the oftener its 

 repetition, the more 

 reckless and determined 

 will the habit become. Now any cause that excites and 

 irritates this kicking without being able to control or stop 

 it, will only intensify and confirm it. Consequently, when 



FIG. 128. Good eye. 



