EFFECT OF KINDNESS. 87 



animals I ever owned. Sold her in a few weeks. She be- 

 came the property of a rough, bad man to horses, who, by 

 needless abuse, made her balk on his way home, and she 

 became spoiled. This mare was of a sanguine nervous 

 temperament, naturally willing to do all she could when 

 shown and treated kindly, but would not bear whipping 

 and abuse. Her will was so strong that she would stand 

 bravely, regardless of the most severe whipping. I struck 

 her with the whip but once, when she threw herself down 

 in the harness. There cannot be too much care and pa- 

 tience with young horses that are learning to drive. If a 

 little stubborn, putting through a short course of subjection 

 and teaching to move forward, as before explained, will 

 soon produce perfect submission. If, however, the habit is 

 thoroughly formed, it must be counteracted by direct 

 means. To do this best, hitch the balker by the side of a 

 gentle horse. Attach a strong piece of cord in the form of 

 a crouper, under the tail of the balker, bring forward 

 through the terret and tie to the name ring of the gentle 

 horse, just short enough to give freedom so long as the hor- 

 ses are even, but the instant there is a disposition to refuse, 

 the whole power of the gentle horse is brought to bear upon 

 the tail, which will cause the horse to jump forward instant- 

 ly. Stop and start repeatedly, until there is no disposition 

 to refuse moving forward when commanded. Should pull- 

 ing on the tail irritate and cause kicking, at once remove 

 the cord ; tie the end of the hair into a knot ; tie the cord 

 to the hair by this knot ; bring forward between the legs 

 and attach the cord to the hame ring or collar of the gentle 

 horse, as before. The restraint is now on the tail length- 

 wise, which has a remarkably disconcerting influence, with 

 great power to force the horse forward when the gentle 

 horse starts. If this should fail, there is but one resource 

 left, which I can here describe, but which is very effective 

 and valuable if properly applied. 



Put the war bridle on ; bring the part over the neck for- 

 ward to the ears; now jerk sidewise and ahead, and finally 

 ahead as there is submission, until there is prompt obedience 

 in coming ahead when pulled upon. Hitch to wagon by 

 the side of a true horse. Have prepared a smooth stiff pole 

 about the length of the wagon tongue. Bore a hole a few 

 inches from the large end, and about a foot or more for- 



