100 TRAINING OF HORSES. 
back in the wagon, and start him along gently. If, in 
holding him up, he attempts to prance, make him go 
along at a rapid gait; (under all circumstances, when 
colts or young horses attempt to prance or wish to rush 
ahead, we always let them go, and they soon find their 
level.) If you wish to match or drive him double, mate 
with a spirited horse. 
If your horse is a lazy, sleepy balker, he wants treat- 
ing very differently. Treat him as before, up to the 
point where you are ready to harness. Instead of har- 
nessing him, we take him when he is in the stall sleep- 
ing, lying or standing, and with a very loud, sharp 
word or yell, hit him one severe blow with a whip. Do 
not repeat this until -you find him when he is entirely. 
unaware of your presence, when you may do it again— 
doing it as often as opportunities of this sort offer—and 
whether in or out of harness, surprise and startle him 
in this way often. This apparently unnatural mode of.. 
proceeding may be easily explained. The horse of this 
kind is not excitable, and balks because his nervous sys- 
tem does not stimulate him to action. By frightening — 
him in the manner spoken of, you soon arouse his nerv- 
ous sensibilities, and whenever he is spoken to sharply, 
and a blow accompanies the word, he is quite certain to 
move with alacrity. The object in not repeating the 
word and blow is, that the second one might anger 
him, which is not what you want, as that would make 
him worse, it being impossible to causé him to obey 
you when he is maddened by blows. ever strike a 
