KICKING STRAPS. 79 



carded it. No quarter is to be given until there is perfect 

 submission. The harness may be put on after the horse 

 ceases kicking, and drive around as before. These straps 

 should be kept on until there is no disposition to kick. 



If the mouth is hard, use breaking bit and force as before, 

 with the reins, until there is perfect submission. The horse 

 is to be treated with the utmost kindness when he yields. 

 Bear in mind this rule must not be disregarded, of addressing 

 and winning the cooperation of the affections as soon as 

 there is submission. The foot strap may be used as a pre- 

 caution when hitched to wagon, until submission is made 

 sure. 



If the mouth is naturally sensitive, and the horse is docile 

 but quick and irritable, a different policy must be adopted, 

 as the horse may drive gently for hours, or even days, and 

 yet may kick at a real or fancied cause of annoyance. This 

 mode of treatment would not work well with such, as they 

 soon become cautious by throwing the head down when 

 there is such an intention, and there is not persistence 

 enough to make reproof sufficiently positive to cure the 

 habit. 



The OVERDRAW CHECK will now work well. But care 

 must be taken to apply it right, or there will be cause 

 for disappointment in its use. The object is now to simply 

 disable the horse from his purpose at the least attempt to 

 kick, which we can easily do, especially, while in single 

 harness. Probably the best way to do this is as follows : 



Get a small steel bit and hang it loosely above the driving 

 bit in the bridle. Put the bridle on the head ; now provide 

 yourself with a fine, strong piece of hemp or cotton cord, 

 about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and sixteen feet 

 in length. That kept at hardware stores for hanging win- 

 dows, will do. Put the center of this cord back of the ears, 

 run the ends back through the rings of the small bit and 

 through the gag runners, which should be close up to the 

 ears. (See cut.) Pass them now through the terrets and 

 back through a ring, which must be attached as far back 

 upon the crouper as possible, and attach the ends to the 

 shafts on each side of the hips. At first this check should 

 be drawn short, to bring the head as high as the horse can 

 bear. The head is now not only high, but the least effort 

 to kick will thwart itself by drawing the check tighter, 



