PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 66 



After he has been somewhat subdued, to take the first 

 friskiness and kick out of him, take a smooth hickory pole 

 about ten feet long, touch him smartly on the sides, be- 

 tween the legs, against his heels, under his tail, and all 

 his tender spots, making it appear like the whiffle-tree 

 against his heels, traces between his legs, line under the 

 tail, etc. The horse being tied head and tail and kept 

 going around and around, each point must be finished 

 before another is taken up — that is, when he will beat 

 these tests in one location, try another, until he will bear 

 it without kicking. The amount that he will bear be- 

 fore he gives up depends on his disposition. Well-bred 

 horses fight the sharpest and give up the quickest. He 

 can now be ridden — the rider jumping on the off side 

 and reaching over and catching hold of the halter ; when 

 the horse quits whirling straddle him and untie the 

 halter. 



We never saw a horse buck, or which could not be 

 ridden with the halter, after this training. After riding, 

 he may be harnessed and driven in single harness, when 

 the same tests by pole may be applied, followed with 

 hitching to wagon and the usual steps we have given 

 for breaking colts. At the least sign of viciousness take 

 him out and head-and-tail him again. This system is 

 recommended for not only taking the kick out of vicious 



