192 KICKING. 



all doubtful, the course should be about as follows : When 

 behind, a little to the near side, look directly at the horse's 

 head and say sharply, " Get around ! " repeating until the 

 eye is caught. A great deal depends upon the expression 

 of confidence and authority shown. An intelligent, cour- 

 ageous horse will discern instantly any lack of confidence 

 or power, and become correspondingly aggressive. 



At first the horse may look back and try to measure 

 your strength and be disposed to question your advance. 

 It will be a matter of will power now. Look at him with 

 all the firmness you can, and repeat the " Get around ! " with 

 the most thorough vim of expression. If a man of any 

 rierve, but few horses will disobey. If he steps around, 

 iio matter if the ears are put back and the eyes partly 

 closed showing inclination to kick, there will seldom be 

 much danger. The eye kept firmly upon that of the horse, 

 will discover any movement almost before it is made ; so 

 reach the end of the stall fronting the horse, with head 

 slightly turned to hold the eye, and make a quick, gliding 

 leap or long step toward the shoulder. After getting 

 well forward of the hips there will be little danger ; watch- 

 ing the opportunity in this way, and moving quickly, will 

 permit getting beyond reach of danger before the horse 

 can kick. 



This is really the only secret of getting around or into 

 the stall of a doubtful horse without getting hurt. (See 

 chapter on " Stallions.") By observing closely, the inten- 

 tions of the horse will always be revealed by the expres- 

 sion of the eye and his actions. Danger is shown by the 

 ears being thrown back, eyes partly closed, lips drawn 

 back, and mouth perhaps partly open. If the horse will 

 not move when commanded, but holds his position firmly, 

 especially if one having a dark, lurking eye set well into 

 the head, thick eyelids, and heavy ears, the character is 



