Hitching Up — 77 
the horse’s biting, striking or kicking him. The safest 
way of handling a fractious horse is for the attendant 
to stand close to his left shoulder, grasping the bridle 
or halter close to the mouth with the right hand. In 
this position the horse is unable to injure him. If the 
horse gets loose, or makes an attempt to do so, the at- 
tendant should stay close to him, or else get clear out 
of the way. There is no “happy medium.” Many seri- 
ous accidents occur from horses’ rearing and striking, or 
kicking in play. In catching horses in the pasture, 
care should be taken, in approaching the animal, that 
he does not whirl and kick. 
In leading horses with a halter, an attendant is some- 
times unable to hold the animal. By looping the rope 
or tie-strap and slipping it into his mouth in the place 
of a bit, then running the rope through the nose-band, 
thus forming a loop around the lower jaw, he can be 
easily controlled. In leading or driving horses, cattle 
or other large animals, the line or rope should never be 
tied or wrapped around the body or hands of the 
attendant. : 
In harnessing, dressing, or handling a horse, the 
work should be done from the left or “nigh” side of 
the animal; the harness, saddle and equipment fasten 
and unfasten on this side. In putting on the harness 
it should be gently but firmly placed upon the animal, 
pains being taken that it fits well, and all loose, flapping 
straps avoided. In hitching a horse into a pair of 
shafts, the shafts should always be raised up and the 
animal backed into them, or the vehicle drawn for- 
ward, as the horse is likely to step on a shaft and 
