KICKING WHILE HARNESSING. 77 



to all. Another point I would urge, before closing this 

 chapter : make up your mind, at all hazards, that you will 

 not get mad yourself. The moment you give way to this 

 sort of feeling, you are throwing away your strongest and 

 best hold ; and besides, as I have shown you, it is the 

 best point of your success to keep positive control of 

 yourself. 



KICKING WHILE HABNESSING. 



Put on the war-bridle (small loop), and work up with it 

 sharply right and left a few times, then pull down tight, 

 and tie into a half hitch. While holding the cord in the 

 left hand, step back, and pass the hand from the shoulders 

 to the hind parts gently. If this is borne, take the har- 

 ness in the right hand, and work it back gently over the 

 back. As this is borne, untie the cord, and tie down, so 

 as td give the mouth a little more freedom. Now go back, 

 and handle as before, being careful to be gentle : if there 

 is resistance, punish sharply, tie down short again, and 

 put the harness on. When there is submission, untie, 

 then work back as before : at the least indication of re- 

 sistance, tremble on the cord until the horse will bear the 

 harness, while free from restraint. 



KICKING WEXLE GROOMING. 



Some horses are so thin-skinned, that they can scarce- 

 ly bear a currycomb on the flanks or legs, and when 

 excited by rough treatment and too severe use of the curry- 

 comb, are easily made vicious to handle or groom. Put 

 on the war-bridle, and after working up with it, hold 

 tightly, and with the left hand use the currycomb on the 

 back, gradually working to the sensitive part : as there is 

 submission, give a little more freedom to the mouth, and 

 work back lightly. If the horse seems unable to bear the 

 currycomb, use the brush instead, and that, if necessary, 

 lightly. Work lightly and indirectly to the sensitive part, 

 at the same time speaking gently. It is almost impossible 

 to overcome this habit, if there is not gentleness and kind 

 treatment. 



The currycomb is used too much by most grooms. A 

 sharp-toothed, brass currycomb must not be used QK a thin- 



