KICKING WHILE HAKNESSLtfG. 193 



treacherous and needless risks should not be hazarded. 

 What such a horse does he will do quickly without warn- 

 ing. But if he seems to yield, no matter how bad he is, 

 and there is quickness in getting into the stall, as explained, 

 there will be but little danger. 



I have frequently been able to go into the stalls of 

 horses that were very dangerous, and have never been 

 kicked or hurt while doing so. Many times the horse 

 would kick the stall, but by a sharp, ringing command suf- 

 ficient to disconcert, and by jumping quickly, I could al- 

 ways get to the shoulder or head without being touched. 

 In many cases I have been compelled to take the chances 

 from necessity ; but by observing these precautions, and 

 calculating my chances carefully, I would be able to get 

 by, though at the instant of doing so the horse would kick 

 the stall behind me. 



When desiring to get out, pull the head around after, 

 bringing the hind parts well around to the opposite side. 

 The instant the halter is let go, step or spring beyond reach. 



WHILE HARNESSING. 



The habit of kicking while harnessing is always the re- 

 sult of carelessness or bad treatment. Were the horse 

 treated kindly and the harness put on gently until accus- 

 tomed to it, there would be no trouble. Not being accus- 

 tomed to the breeching or the crupper under the tail, a 

 sensitive horse is liable to kick when feeling pressure upon 

 those parts. I have frequently found horses gentle after 

 the harness was on, yet they would kick violently when the 

 attempt was made to put it on; while others would kick 

 only after it was on. All that is necessary to do in such 

 cases, is to put on the War Bridle, and, after giving a few 

 sharp pulls with it, hold firmly in the left hand, and while 

 keeping it taut upon the mouth, with the right spread the 



13 



