KICKING WHILE HARNESSING. 81 



KICKING WHILE HARNESSING. 



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 harness in the 

 right hand and work it back gently over the back. As this 

 is borne, untie the cord and tie down, so as to 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 resistance, tremble on the 

 cord until the horse will bear the harness while free from 

 restraint. 



KICKING WHILE GROOMING. 



Some horses ^are so thin skinned that they can scarcely 

 bear a currycomb on the flanks or legs, and when excited by 

 rough treatment and too severe use of the currycomb, 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 speak- 

 ing 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 on a thin 

 skinned horse; use a brush. I should want a horse to kick 

 a man out of the stall who would use a currycomb with 

 needless severity, or be otherwise needlessly harsh. 



KICKING WHILE SHOEING. 



Some horses have a peculiar aversion to having their feet' 

 handled, and if once aroused to resistance, from any cause, 

 are apt to become pretty determined in the habit. If the 



