FOOT -STRAP. 101 



drive with an easy or slack rein, when the extra bit, if used, can be 

 removed. 



In using this bit upon a dangerous or doubtful horse, I would 

 advise first heading up a long hill, and then pulling upon him 

 steadily, as may be necessary until he gives up. A rubber connect- 

 ing the ends of the bit to the rings on the pulley-reins makes the 

 action of the bit upon the mouth the same as any ordinary bit. If 

 at any time there should be much resistance, the rubbers stretch 

 sufficiently to give play to the reins upon the pulleys, which will 

 compel submission, — a very important point in the management of 

 plucky, treacherous horses. 



In breaking a horse to lead, simply reverse the reins through 

 the pulleys so as to pull ahead. By catching both reins and pulling 

 sideways and ahead, it will give such purchase that the horse can be 

 lifted right or left, or ahead with as much or more power than by 

 the War Bridle. 



For halter-pulling, pass the reins or cord attached to the rings 

 through the ring or , hole in the manger, and form the end into 

 a nOose around the body of the horse back of the shoulders. The 

 instant he begins to pull, the punishment becomes so severe upon 

 his head that he will soon be afraid to pull. This is the only prac- 

 ticable means for breaking bridle-pullers. It is equally effective for 

 breaking double-balkers. For such, the cord is tied to the end of 

 the pole (as explained under the head of " Balking"), when, if the 

 balker does not go, the gentle horse jerks him out of his tracks, 

 making it a very easy and effective method of managing a double- 

 balker. 



The Foot-Strap. 



On the same principle, a second foot-strap can be used, when 

 there will be power to control either one or both feet as may be de- 

 sired. It must be used before the horse gets under much headway, 

 for, if allowed to get under much motion, and then have both fore 

 feet pulled from under him suddenly, it would throw or tumble him 

 over upon his head. 



Another objection is that in throwing the horse forcibly upon 

 the knees, unless the ground is very soft, or the knees well protected 

 by pads, there is serious danger of having the knees bruised or cut. 

 A horse can be very easily ruined in this way ; for, should the syno- 

 vial membrane of the knee-joint be cut through or ruptured, which 

 can be easily done, it would surely result in spoiling the horse. 



