122 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



sity: "A horse having this vile habit I should strongly 

 recommend others to sell, unless they were disposed to try a 

 plan that I found eftectually cure one of my own. I drove 

 him at wheel on the ofF-side ; but, whichever side he was 

 put, he ' hugged the pole ' the same. I had a piece of board, 

 about ten inches in width, sciewed to the off-side of the pole. 

 On the ofi-side of this surface I nailed some strong green 

 furze, clipping it till it did not project more than three inches 

 on the side the horse went. I took care to give him a hole 

 in the pole-piece, the same with the near side trace, and 

 lengthened his coupling rein; so he had not occasion to 

 approach the pole thus armed. This being merely a lesson 

 to the horse, I took care to manage the drive so as only to 

 have occasion to turn the carriage to the off-side during the 

 lesson ; as usual, he began or attempted hugging the pole, 

 but he started from it as if a tarantula had stung him. I 

 suppose in a few minutes the smarting went off, when he 

 tried the same game, with the same result. I conclude the 

 second application of the furze, acting on the first, produced 

 increased effect, for it was a longer period before he trans- 

 gressed again, and before my drive was finished he took 

 especial care not to approach the pole. Though this bid fair 

 as to curing him of a bad habit, I in no way expected a 

 lesson or two would cure him ; but ten days' driving 

 effectually did, and afterwards it was somewhat laughable 

 to see, if he forgot himself, or attempted pole-hugging, with 

 what alacrity he jumped back into his proper place." 



Seizing the Cheek of the Bit — When horses are so cunning 

 as to get the cheek of the bit into the mouth, they have 

 immense opportunity for displaying any impatience of 

 control they may be inclined to; any moderately skilful 

 saddler and harness-maker will show you how to prevent 

 this being done a second time. 



Running away — vulgo, ''Bolting" — This, in its com- 

 monest form, is merely a sign of a hard mouth, and self-will 

 in maintaining the gallop. Its other phase is a most 

 dangerous vice. When it is consequent on nervous excite- 

 ment or fear, the usual expedients for " gentling " or calming 

 irritability already recommended are to be adopted. All 

 sorts of severe bits have been devised to prevent horses 

 running away. Some excellent authorities recommend the 

 " Bucephalus nose-band," a contrivance which keeps the 

 mouth of the horse closed, so that the " port " of the mouth- 



