390 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



mouth. This is very unsightly and lessens the sensitive- 

 ness of the mouth, besides exposing the tongue to injury. 

 The habit is usually due to improper bitting and is often 

 difficult to overcome. The tongue-lolling bit wzs de- 

 vised to overcome the habit and is perhaps the most 

 effective measure that we have at present. (Fig. 174; 15.) 



Halter-pulling.— There are three hitches in common use 

 in overcoming the habit of halter-pulling, the loin-hitch, 

 the tail-hitch, and the foot-hitch. To arrange the loin- 

 hitch secure a three-quarter-inch rope about 15 feet long, 

 and tie a small stationary loop in one end. Place the rope 

 around the horse's body just in front of the hips with the 

 loop under the abdomen, and run the free end through the 

 loop, pass it forward between the fore legs, up through 

 the ring at the halter, then around a solid post, and back 

 and tie into the ring at the halter. Now excite the horse 

 to pull back. The moment he feels the pressure around 

 the body he bounds forward. To avoid any further 

 trouble, force him back into the rope severely by tapping 

 him across the nose with the whip. This causes him to 

 go back into the rope with much force, which, coupled 

 with the fright caused by the whip at the nose, never fails 

 to bring him forward. Caress him while he stands by the 

 post. After a few such struggles it will be difficult to 

 get him to pull back. 



In overcoming halter pulling some persons prefer the 

 tail-hitch, although it is rather severe. To arrange the 

 tail-hitch, tie a stationary loop in one end of the rope 

 sufficiently large to go about the tail similar to a crupper, 

 passing the free end forward through the turret at the 

 saddle, on through the ring at the halter, then around 

 the post, and back and tie into the halter ring as before. 

 With this appliance the pressure is brought to bear at 

 the tail, a very sensitive part, and he bounds forward. 

 This hitch is likely to abrade the tail. To arrange the 

 foot-hitch, secure one end of the rope about a pastern, 

 pass the free end up through the ring at the halter and 



