WILL NOT STAND. 201 



to him, but not to take up the reins until ready to start. If in a 

 barn, keep the door shut until ready to start. 



Will not Stand. 



Usually it is not difficult to teach a horse to stand unless there 

 is inclination to balk. If a young horse that is simply a little im- 

 pulsive, treat the same as directed for teaching colts to stand. Usu- 

 ally, with an ordinary mild tit, there will be an inclination to pull 

 against it and fight its restraint. If this is the case, the Breaking 

 Bit can be used as follows : — 



First, with the harness on, train to stop as explained in Colt 

 Training. When first hitched to a wagon, let • it be away from the 

 place where accustomed to be hitched. I prefer to turn the horse's 

 head toward a high fence or barn, because there is less inclination to 

 go ahead when such an obstruction is in view. Then get in and out 

 repeatedly, occasionally giving him an apple, etc., for s some time. 

 Now move him around, standing him a little farther off at each rep- 

 etition, and gradually more sideways, until he will stand with his 

 body parallel to the barn or away from it. Next, repeat the lesson 

 where in the habit of being hitched, until he will stand as desired. 



When hitched in, have the reins in the hand or within easy 

 reach. The moment he starts, give a sharp pull that will make him 

 stand, go to the head and stroke it for a while, then go back to the 

 wheel. For the least resistance, set him back sharply with the reins. 

 When desired .to start, take him by the head; and, after going a few 

 steps, call " Whoa ! " If he does not stop promptly, pull sharply upon 

 the reins until he will do so. Reward for standing ; punish for mov- 

 ing. Having once learned to stand and wait, get on the step and 

 make a noise ; this submitted to, get in quietly and sit down. Re- 

 peat the stopping, starting) and waiting, until the impression is fixed 

 upon the mind. After he will do this properly away from the house, 

 he should be taken where in the habit of resisting, and the lesson 

 repeated, if- necessary. 



Horses of this character are sometimes very sensitive, and re- 

 quire nice management, because they are so easily taught to balk. 

 The point is to impress thoroughly the idea of stopping, and make it 

 so habitual that when the horse is most impulsive during cold and 

 chilly weather, it will not be forgotten. A very good plan, should 

 the case be a little doubtful, and seem in danger of working into the 

 habit again, would be to have some one stand in front of him, or near 

 the head, and stroke the nose a little, but not touch the reins. 

 This will disconcert the horse sufficiently to make him stand while 



