KICKING IN HARNESS. 



67 



the pont 

 cross-piece 



drive the green colt in. One little point about the pole- 

 rig. The poles will not be likely to go through the tugs ; 

 and, if they would, they would be too low. Attach a piece 

 of rope, or a strap, to the 

 saddle, tying to the tur- 

 rets, improvising loops 

 at the ends for the poles 

 to run through, but short 

 enough so that the cross- 

 piece will come upon the 

 quarters at 

 where the 



of the shaft comes. The 

 whole thing is a tempo- 

 rary affair : you can tie 



the tugs with a piece of A good sketch of a nervous, irritable kicker. 

 cord to the cross-piece. 



You are now ready to make the step of driving in shafts, 

 which is, as before explained, usually a point of risk with or- 

 dinary shafts. If the horse should kick, he cannot do any 

 damage. Usually the horse will drive nicely. You are 

 now to test your subject thoroughly, backing him against 

 the cross-piece, turning right or left, having the poles 

 come heavily against the legs, &c. Drive until cool, and 

 proved to be thoroughly safe. If not, repeat the les- 

 son. We will suppose the kicker to be a strong, reckless 

 fighter, of the worst kind. There are two classes : the 



horse of great activity and 

 endurance; and the strong, 

 tough, hardy, but cool 

 fighter. If you have a 

 black, dull iron-gray or 

 sorrel, and sometimes a 

 bay with large eyes, with 

 much white, the lids thick, 

 and long from eyes to ears, 

 and ears rather long, a 

 deep chest, a strong, bony, 

 muscular animal, you have a kicker of the worst kind. It is 

 hazardous for you to get him very warm or sweaty, as then 

 he will become really desperate, while his determination 



A good sketch of a bad fighter. 



