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 



