THE DEFENSES OF THE HORSE 



or from exuberance of energy, or from the stings of 

 bees and the bites of green flies. 



If, in summer and fall, a horse kicks when an- 

 noyed by insects, the best remedy is a switch of 

 horsehair carried in place of a whip. If it is weak in 

 the loins, time and progressive exercise will give it 

 strength. Then, after the horse has become strong, 

 the fault can be corrected. But if the horse kicks 

 because it does not understand the meaning of our 

 legs and spurs, it has to be taught. When it under- 

 stands, it will no longer kick. Where kicking is the 

 consequence of too much exuberance of life, a good 

 trot or gallop upon a field, repeated with wisdom 

 and moderation, will work a cure. 



In any case, however, the best immediate remedy 

 is to keep the fore legs in motion. Unless the fore 

 legs stop, they cannot receive the entire weight, 

 and the hind feet must remain on the ground to act 

 as supports. Moreover, since, in order to kick, the 

 horse has not only to put all its weight on its fore 

 legs, but in addition must drop its head very low 

 and near its fore feet, raising the head high is also a 

 corrective. There is, besides, a shifting forward of 

 the center of gravity as the weight is thrown on to 

 the fore legs, and the head and neck go forward and 

 down. If, therefore, as the rider promptly lifts the 

 horse's head by means of the snaffle, he also leans 

 far back in his saddle, he will put a greater load on 

 the croup, and thus force the hind legs to continue 

 their support. 



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