64 THE HORSE 



with, will fall down. It is better not to go to 

 this extreme, however, as in falling, he may injure 

 himself; watch him sharply and the moment he 

 is thoroughly dizzy untie the rope. Now har- 

 ness him as quickly as possible, put him in the 

 shafts — and drive on. I have not often found it 

 necessary to whirl the horse in this way more than 

 once to make him start, but in some rare instances 

 it has to be repeated ; in such cases make him turn 

 the other way. 



One point in respect to the whirling treatment 

 can hardly be over-emphasized — it is essential to 

 use a hitch that can be released instantly when 

 the horse shows signs of tottering. If a knot 

 is used that makes quick release impossible, the 

 horse runs a chance of falling and straining him- 

 self badly. The hitch shown in the diagram is 

 the simplest and safest I have ever used. 



This whirling treatment is one of the very best 

 means of breaking up a horse's confidence in him- 

 self and it can often be used to advantage in the 

 treatment for kicking or other vices. The secret 

 of it — just as in laying a horse down — is that it 

 impresses him powerfully with your supremacy. 

 It shows him that you can handle him very roughly 

 if you choose and that you can do so with apparent 

 ease. After that recognition of your supremacy 

 he has little inclination to defy you and, if al- 



