120 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



arranged that you can approach him sufficiently near to operate in smy 

 direction. If the hor^e will submit to fondling so much the better. 

 Under no circumstances use a whip. The work must be done by showing 

 »He horse that his struggles are always against himself. 



Have the side of the stall so arranged that it may be taken down an(* 

 allow free egress to a yard thirty feet square, with a high board fence, 

 or, better still, a large square barn floor covered a foot deep with straw 

 tramped solid. Procure the following articles : a simple single-rein bri- ' 

 die, strong, and kaving a gag bit with large rings and long guards, the 

 reins to be only sufficiently long so they will lie on the withers ; have also 

 a strong, padded surcingle, made with a two inch ring at the belly ; also, 

 one strap an inch and a quarter wide, and three feet or more in length, 

 with a strong loop to form a slip noose, and a strong buckle on the end ; 

 and another strap five feet long with the end turned into a loop and firn»ly 

 sewed ; also two strong knee pads, to protect the knees in falling. 



Put on the bridle, buckle on the knee pads, loop the short strap aroui>d 

 tJbe near fetlock of the fore-foot, raise the foot and buckle the end tightly 

 around the arm of the fore-leg next the body, thus you have one foot 

 firmly held up. Put the loop of the second or long strap about the fet- 

 lock of the off fore-leg, and pass the end of the strap through the ring of 

 the surcingle under the horse. Do not be in a hurry, and in no case lose 

 your temper. If it takes two hours, well and good, you have the horse 

 then perfectly under command however vicious he may be. 



See that there is entirely free egress out of the stable and let him go. 

 Approach him slowly, but without hesitation, steadying him by the voice. 

 If he show fight do not hesitate, he is on three legs and nearly powerless, 

 except to bite, or to strike you in the act of rearing. Seize him by the 

 near bridle rein about twelve inches from the bit, and placing yourself 

 immediately at his near quarter, or just behind his shoulder, gather the 

 long strap in the right hand and when the horse rears draw up the other 

 leg. 



If the horse struggles let him do so. It will not be necessary to exert 

 much strength, simply tact and coolness in steering him. When he 

 oomes down it must necessarily be on his knees. If he continue tc 

 struggle let him exhaust himself. It will rarely take over five minutes, 

 and never ten by the watch. Having him on his knees always seek la 

 draw the head from you by pulling on the rein that comes over the neck. 

 Once you have the head turned keep pulling on him until he gives up 

 completely and lies down. Use no violence on the rein. It is only to be 

 used to steer or guide the horse. It is the strap that does the work. 

 However many attempts he may make to regain his liberty it will only 

 •nd in the more complete discomfiture of the hors^o Once down unlaM 



