182 KICKING. 



curing them. To guard against this in other cases, I put 

 on straps to which I attached rings, and passing the rope 

 through them as before, I irritated her to kick, repeating 

 until there was submission. But as this could not be car- 

 ried out in driving, the kicking-straps, with the connection 

 made to the bit, were devised ; after which the pulley ar- 

 rangement was added. These straps are best adapted to 

 kickers with the nervous system so weakened that the habit 

 is in a great measure involuntary. 



FOOT-STRAPS. 



I found that by tying up the leg, the horse was not 



only prevented from kick- 

 ing, but so disabled that he 

 could not go ; while giving 

 freedom to travel, and dis- 

 abling only at the moment 

 of danger, made a far more 

 powerful means of restraint, 

 and became a very effective 

 means for the control of run- 

 away colts. It is seen that 



FIG. 159. Foot Strap. . ,, , . ,, , 



if the leg is pulled from un- 

 der just as there is intention to kick, it not only disables 

 the same as if tied up, but serves to divert the horse from 

 his purpose of kicking ; while at the same time he can be 

 given freedom to move again when it is desirable. When 

 there was danger of the horse lunging ahead I used a foot- 

 strap upon both fore feet. If the horse attempted to lunge 

 forward after one leg was taken up, I instantly followed 

 by pulling the other from under. In the case of a doubt- 

 ful horse, the foot-strap will be found a good reserve power. 

 During my practice of late years, I seldom made use of 



