84 The Diseases of Animals 
wanted. It is an extremely aggravating vice, and one 
that is likely to render a horse practically worthless. 
Balking may be due to a naturally vicious dispo- 
sition, or to improper handling; it is often a combi- 
nation of both. The more experience one has in dealing 
with this trouble, the less he feels like giving advice. 
The first thing to be done is to get acquainted with the 
horse and all his peculiarities; then the trainer must 
exercise his ingenuity and knowledge to overcome or 
circumvent the animal. 
Balking varies from a disinclination to do some 
slight act in some particular place or at some particular 
time, to a disinclination to do anything that may be 
required at any time. Associated with the disinceli- 
nation to work, there is often a tendency to do 
some annoying act that he ought not to do. Balking 
is often associated with a nervous temperament, and all 
influences that tend to irritate the horse should be 
removed if possible. In dealing with balky or vicious 
horses, it is important that the trainer be quiet, per- 
sistent, and, above all, that he does not lose his tem- 
per. Shouting, jerking and whipping a balky horse 
is likely to make a bad matter worse. If punishment 
in the form of whipping is to be given, it must be 
given judiciously and thoroughly. In many eases of 
balking, if he is allowed to stand quietly until the 
nervousness has passed away, the horse will start 
of his own aceord. Attracting his attention by adjust- 
ing the harness, or by giving him an apple or a bit of 
sugar, will often overcome a difficulty that cannot be 
whipped out of him. A horse that balks, and throws 
