74 THE FOOT-STRAP. 



the D in front of the leg. These we designate KICKING- 



STRAPS. 



Put a strong, well-fitting rope halter on the head, tie a 

 strong two-inch ring on the end of the hitching part, 

 which should be of a length to extend between the fore- 

 legs, over and just back of the belly-band. Then take a 

 piece of strong manila rope, long enough to extend from 

 the ring on the end of the halter back to each hind-leg. 

 Pass the end of this through the ring to the centre, and 

 tie each end carefully into the D's on the straps, the 

 whole so arranged in length that the horse can travel 

 easily and naturally. Now, as soon as the horse kicks, 



the most severe punish- 

 ment must result upon 

 the nose. Sometimes, in- 

 stead of being around the 

 gambrels (as in cut), I put 

 them above the ankle at 

 .first, and when the horse 

 gets afraid to kick and 

 will drive easier, attach 

 to the legs higher up. 

 Attach one end of a 

 strap or rope around the 

 fore-leg below the fetlock ; 

 pass the other end back 

 over the belly-band of the harness and back to the seat, 

 where it can be held as a rein in the hand. 



THE FOOT-STBAP. 



This is a valuable means of control : it enables carry- 

 ing out in the easiest and most practical manner, and with 

 perfect safety, what Rarey tried to do by tying up the fore- 

 leg, which deprived the horse of ability to travel ; and a 

 really bad kicker will balance on one leg when so tied, 

 and kick, whereas by pulling the leg from under him on 

 the instant there is shown a purpose to kick, the horse is 

 thrown off his balance, disabled, and disconcerted, so that 

 he can neither kick nor run ; and this can be done on the 

 very instant of resistance, since the leg can be controlled 

 at will from the seat. It is especially valuable on a doubt- 



