special For7us of Restiveness* 251 



should be, in the first place, well inquired into and 

 ascertained, and the vice will disappear with its exciting 

 cause. There are, however, some young ones that take 

 to kicking simply because they don't choose to go. 

 These should be put on the lounge with the dumb- 

 jockey, which will prevent their getting their heads 

 doivn^ what a kicking horse always attempts to do. If 

 the horse stops on the circle and begins to kick, the 

 trainer should proceed precisely in the same manner as 

 with the rearer — that is, after shortening the lounge, 

 and placing himself in front of the animal, simply wait 

 patiently. Meanwhile the assistant with the whip must 

 place himself behind the kicker, and holding a suffi- 

 ciently long whip in readiness, wait till the horse has 

 extended its hind legs to their utmost stretch. This is 

 the momeitt to apply a good stroke of the lash just under 

 the animal's belly, taking care never to hit the hind legs, 

 nor to strike at all except at the moment these are fully 

 extended. The effect is perfectly astounding, and a few 

 well-delivered strokes will generally make the kicker 

 only too anxious to get away from the whip, and go 

 ahead quietly. Some horses w^ill, however, when baf- 

 fled in this way, cease kicking, but still refuse to move 

 forward. The trainer must then proceed to " unfix their 

 feet" in the manner described in Chapter II., Part III., 

 or make them rein back gradually. Other horses will, 

 perhaps, take to "running" backward. All one can 

 then do is to follow them quietly, merely keeping their 

 heads straight, so tliat they should not run up against a 

 wall or the like, but always taking care not to press so 

 heavily on the lounge as to throw the animal's weight 

 071 the fore legs, as this, of course, will be a good oppor- 

 tunity to renew the kicking. When the horse gets tired 

 of backing, it will stop of its own accord. This moment 

 must be attentively watched for by the assistant with 

 the whip, who should then " pitch in " a dexterous stroke 



