WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 387 



and vicious horse : First, by pulling him to his knees and 

 holding him there until he becomes calm, which can be 

 easily accomplished by means of the Rarey double safety ; 

 and, second, by laying him on the ground and holding 

 him down until he gives in, which can be accomplished 

 with the Rarey throwing harness. The great advantage 

 of each of these methods is that they do not cause the 

 horse physical pain. 



Outdoor whims and vices, and how to overcome them. 

 — There are a number of outdoor faults to which the horse 

 is subject, some of which are easily overcome, while 

 others are practically impossible, especially after the 

 horse becomes confirmed in his habits. 



Balking. — This is largely a nervous trouble, and it is 

 useless to punish the horse, if indeed it does not increase 

 the difficulty. We must divert the horse's attention from 

 his fixed determination not to obey. In young horses this 

 can usually be done by quietly arranging the collar or 

 bridle; by giving a dainty, as a bite of grass; and by 

 picking up one front foot and gently tapping the shoe 

 as if there was something wrong. This serves to attract 

 the horse's attention, and he will move on without fur- 

 ther trouble. 



In older horses and where the habit is fixed, more 

 strenuous methods must be employed. First of all, teach 

 the commands so that they are obeyed with promptness. If 

 necessaryuse the double safetyuntil the horse understands 

 that "whoa" means to stop and stand still. Next attach 

 the guy line, which should be managed by an assistant 

 while you drive and tend the safety. If the horse shows 

 any tendency to balk give the command "whoa" at once, 

 and before he has time to stop of his own accord. This 

 serves to puzzle him. When ready to start the assistant 

 should quickly take a position in front of the horse and 

 smartly jerk him forward with the guy line at the same 

 time you give the command "get up." As a signal, you 

 should snap the whip to the right, but without touching 



