STABLES 267 



hobbling the two hind feet or even shackling one to a weight is 

 sometimes resorted to, but such practices are attended with more 

 serious danger than the original offence. 



Some horses kick only in the dark, and the presence of a light 

 in the stable mil stop them. Some are provoked to kick by an 

 especially uncongenial companion in the next stall. Finally, 

 horses perfectly well behaved in the stable under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances kick from sheer spirit and energy when confined for 

 an unusually long period. 



Tml Rubbing. — The presence of animal parasites or neglect 

 of the region under the tail, which may become foul, are usually 

 the causes of the first offence at tail rubbing. Once acquired, 

 however, the practice will be persisted in, even after the correc- 

 tion of the conditions which originally induced it. If thorough 

 grooming will not stop it, the horse may have to be put into a 

 specially constructed loose box, provided either with a fender 

 arranged at such a level that the horse can neither rub his tail 

 against it nor touch any other part of the stall, or, better yet, a 

 bevelled wall to about the height of the horse, giving it an upward 

 and outward slope from the floor so that the horse, with his heel 

 against the wall, cannot reach it to rub, at the height of his tail. 

 Shields and bandages may be employed, but they are liable to 

 injure the hair of the tail. 



Halter Pulling. — Confirmed halter pullers are best secured 

 by ropes or chains snapped across behind them. The habit may 

 be broken in the earlier stages by a slip noose about the flank, 

 the rope being carried forward between the front legs, through 

 the halter ring, and then fastened securely. After pulling back 

 and tightening the noose about the flank the horse will usually 

 take great care to keep the rope slack. 



Bad Habits. — Horses are most likely to fall into bad habits 

 from want of something else to do. A regular daily routine, 

 therefore, of either moderate exercise or work, and a ration not 

 too stimulating, are the best safeguards against their acquisition. 

 Furthermore, much can be done to make the stable life of a 

 horse congenial by so arranging the occupants as to promote good 

 fellowship and avoid incompatibility among them. 



