86 The Diseases of Animals 
throws himself back on this a few times he will usually 
cease. Another method is to tie one end of the small 
rope about the tail in the form of a ervpper, the other 
end being passed through the halter ring and tied toa 
post. In this case, when he pulls the force is exerted 
upon his tail and he soon stops. 
PULLING ON THE BIT 
This is a bad habit and one difficult to remedy in 
some eases. A horse that tugs on his bit continuously, 
or even for a part of the time, cannot be driven with 
any pleasure. This vice is often due to errors in break- 
ing. In driving a horse that pulls on the bit, the more 
the driver tries to hold him, the more he pulls, espe- 
cially if he gets nervous and irritated. A harsh bit that 
hurts his mouth is likely to increase the irritation. 
In dealing with a horse that pulls on the bit, it is 
usually a good plan to use as easy a bit as possible, as 
some of the flexible leather-covered bits. Then try to 
teach the horse that it is not necessary to pull on the bit 
as he travels. When he begins to pull on the bit, allow 
him to go without trying to hold him, never allowing 
him, however, to get beyond the control of the driver. 
When the horse finds that no one is trying to hold him 
he will often give up pulling. Some cases can be stopped 
by tying the pulling horse to his mate. 
There is also a device of flexible steel, commonly 
called a “controller,” that is very effective on some 
horses that pull on the bit. This “controller” is applied 
over the nose and is attached to the reins so that it 
does not injure the horse’s mouth. 
