170 KICKING. 



not requiring in all more than fifteen minutes, and made him per- 

 fectly gentle. Could I have used this Method in the first place, I 

 could have controlled him without the least injury or excitement 

 in about thirty minutes. I refer to this case to show how nice a 

 point it is to use the treatment adapted to the case, and the temper- 

 ament must determine this. 



Switching Kickers. 



When a horse is greatly excited and irritated by fear or abuse, 

 his nervous system is liable to become so sensitive that he will 

 squeal and switch. This is more common to mares, which are more 

 impressible than horses ; consequently, when badly spoiled, they are 

 more difficult to break. In this form it becomes involuntary resist- 



-"Thhm-milim.."* 



Fig. 228. — The Hettrick Horse as Driven in the Street next Day. 



ance, or a species of insanity, and in extreme cases very difficult to 

 overcome. The point is, if possible, to make a sufficiently strong, 

 counteracting impression to overcome this. Very much will depend 

 upon how much the nervous system has been shaken, and the pecul- 

 iarity of disposition. Some of the worst kickers: I have ever handled 

 were colts which had been greatly frightened and abused in break- 

 ing. The course I pursue with such is about as follows : — 



If the case is one that will bear impressing sufficiently to over- 

 come the kicking, I subject to regular treatment as advised for ordi- 

 nary cases, directing my attention particularly to accustoming the 

 quarters to being touched. Failing in this, I use^direct means of re- 

 straint, such as the kicking-straps or overdraw checks. The kick- 

 ing will now punish so severely that there will soon be fear to repeat 

 it. The straps should be used in driving for some little time after 

 the inclination to kick is overcome. 



