VICES ON THE ROAD 119 



entangled, he should on no account attempt to extricate 

 them by pnllino-, but quietly get down, and release them by 

 lifting the tail gently. 



Where persons cannot afford to part with such horses, as 

 they must be sold at a great loss, a strong kicking-strap 

 may be used, which circumscribes the use of the hind 

 limbs, and prevents the horse from raising them for an 

 effective kick. Still, rely not too much on this ; for if the 

 horse should once break the strap he is worse than ever — 

 indeed, incorrigible. 



The uninitiated are not aware of the very slight things 

 which will cause a horse to kick on being first put into 

 harness. The mere putting the crupper on, if done sud- 

 denly, in putting on tbe harness, will sometimes cause him 

 to kick. Probably, with the harness loose on his back, his 

 kicking on first feeling the crupper sends it off him, or 

 partly so. The horse gets seriously alarmed at this ; a scene 

 ensues ; and then there is (to use the designation of a farce) 

 " the devil to pay." 



Backing a horse into the shafts (which should never be 

 done) is very likely to set him kicking. He comes suddenly 

 in contact with the shaft in some part, and either he rushes 

 forward in alarm, or sends his heels at it. This might be 

 termed lesson the first in virtually teaching the animal to 

 kick. If in double harness, the very turning a corner 

 incautiously will cause many a horse to kick, from feeling 

 the pole or trace suddenly come in contact with his thigh. 



Even throwing the driving rein to be buckled over the 

 young horse's back, instead of that of the break horse, which 

 a stupid or careless fellow might do, will probably alarm a 

 horse new to harness. He rushes forward, is checked by the 

 traces, then backs himself suddenly, is then checked by the 

 pole-piece and collar, feels himself hampered in every way, 

 gets alarmed or angry. Here, probably, is " the devil to 

 pay " again. 



Mr. Bingley gives us, among others, the following incident 

 of his horse experience : " An instance of an inveterate 

 kicker in harness occurred under my notice. An elderly 

 relative, with whom I at that time resided, made a pur- 

 chase of a remarkably good-looking horse, for the twofold 

 purposes of working on the farm and running in harness. 

 On the following morning he was attached to a plough on 

 the gee-ho principle, and when required to * move on ' 



