WILL NOT STAND. 277 



start, take him by the head, and, after going a few steps, 

 call, " Whoa ! " If he does not stop promptly, pull sharply 

 upon the reins until he will do so. Reward for standing ; 

 punish for moving. Having once learned to stand and wait, 

 get on the step and make a noise ; this submitted to, get in 

 quietly and sit down. Repeat the stopping, starting, and 

 waiting, until the impression is fixed upon the mind. After 

 he will do this properly away from the house, he should be 

 taken where in the habit of resisting, and the lesson re- 

 peated, if necessary. 



Horses of this character are sometimes very sensitive, 

 and require nice management, because they are so easily 

 taught to balk. The point is to impress thoroughly the 

 idea of stopping, and make it so habitual that, when the 

 horse is most impulsive during cold and chilly weather, it 

 will not be forgotten. A very good plan, should the case 

 be a little doubtful, and seem in danger of working into the 

 habit again, would be to have some one stand in front of 

 him, or near the head, and stroke the nose a little, but not 

 touch the reins. This will disconcert the horse sufficiently 

 to make him stand while getting in, when by stepping out 

 of his way he will move off quietly. 



If the Breaking Bit is not available, the following course 

 of treatment, though requiring more time and care, 

 will be found to work very well : Put on the foot strap, 

 call " Whoa ! " at the same time pull upon the foot strap, 

 which will pull the foot up and throw the horse upon three 

 legs. After a few repetitions, he will stop rather than be 

 pulled upon and tripped. Now put him before a wagon, 

 carrying the foot strap back as a third rein. If he starts, 

 simply pull the foot from under a few times, or until he 

 will stand as desired. In some cases, the foot strap may 

 be put on both fore feet, as a very determined horse may 

 lunge forward upon three feet. If when one foot is taken 



