BESTLESS BALKERS. 251 



character, regular coercive treatment by Second Method, 

 etc., may be necessary. But as there is usually little in- 

 clination among owners to resort to coercive treatment, for 

 the benefit of such I include the details of simple, winning 

 treatment : 



Before putting the horse into shafts, adjust the harness. 

 Get directly behind, with an ordinary carriage whip touch 

 the hips lightly, and say, sharply, " Get up ! " After going 

 a short distance, call, " Whoa ! " and pull lightly upon the 

 reins to make him stop. When there is prompt obedience, 

 give a little apple, etc. Continue driving and stopping un- 

 til a good foundation is made for the next step. Next, 

 turn the carriage to face a barn or high fence, and quietly 

 hitch the horse in ; then go to his head, caress, talk to him, 

 and give some apple. Be in no hurry, but hold his atten- 

 tion in this way several minutes. When you want him to 

 move, walk ahead a little and say, " Get up ! " or " Come!" 

 After going a few steps, stop and repeat the reward- 

 ing. 



There will be less inclination to rush ahead when a barn 

 or high fence is in front, and you are standing directly be. 

 fore him. In addition to this, his attention is attracted by 

 the apples. In this way repeat until the obstruction is 

 reached, when it will be easy to turn or back short around. 

 Gradually get back opposite his head and shoulders, with 

 each repetition going farther back till the wheel is reached, 

 when mount the step and get into the wagon. Repeat this 

 until the horse is obedient to wait for the driver to get in, 

 stopping and starting as desired. Now drive farther, and 

 take some one in with you as if to make a journey. First, 

 drive where the horse is least likely to resist, but finally in 

 front of the house, or other place, where there has been 

 most trouble. The hitching and unhitching should be re- 

 peated, and his attention held as before with apples, etc., 



