on to the post, then back to the halter and tie as before. Now when the horse pulls he jerks one leg out from under him, which puzzles him so greatly that he soon ceases to pull back.

Stable whims and vices, and how to overcome them.Horses are even more likely to develop bad habits in the stable than outdoors, particularly if ill-treated or denied sufficient exercise. These habits are often very dangerous and usually lessen the usefulness of the horse possessing them.

Difficult to harness.-Some rather nervous horses have very sensitive skins and, if not properly trained, may be difficult to groom and harness. Many horses are especially sensitive along the abdomen, the back of the fore legs and the front of the hind legs, and care should be exercised in handling these parts. Το overcome horses difficult to groom, harness or crupper, first pole them thoroughly as suggested for a horse that kicks. After becoming submissive to the pole, arrange a noose twitch or a war bridle on the horse.

To make a noose twitch procure a small rope, such as a sash cord, and at one end tie a small stationary loop. Hold this loop on the right side of the horse's head, placing the free end of the rope over the head just back of the ears, down the right side and in the mouth just under the upper lip and on top of the teeth, and then up and through the loop at the right side of the head and the twitch is completed. (Fig. 172.) To make a war bridle take a small rope, as a sash cord, and tie a small stationary loop in one end just large

enough to go in the horse's mouth and around the lower jaw. Place this in the horse's mouth with the knot and free end on the right side. Bring the free end up over the head, down the left side and through the loop at the mouth. Now pass the rope back over the head, this time from left to right, and just back of the ears, then down the right side through the mouth under the upper lip and on top of the teeth, and then pass the rope

the

through the part which passes over the head and the bridle is completed. (Fig. 173.) With either noose twitch or war bridle attached, attached, we are in a position to punish the horse by jerking on the rope should he attempt to resist as we harness or groom him. Continue with the appliance until he becomes perfectly submissive to

being groomed or harnessed. To complete the work, in a similar manner, educate him to stand while 'being harnessed from the right side.

Biting. When the horse is troubled but mildly, biting can be overcome by the use of the war bridle. Place this on him, and when he attempts to nip, punish him severely with the bridle. Now tempt him to bite, and then punish him if he does. Soon he will associate the punishing with the nipping, and will cease. If he still persists, apply the wooden gag. This gag is made from a block of hard wood, about five inches long and 11⁄2 inches square. A hole is bored through the center, longways, for a chain which is attached to a headstall. The gag is then put in

the mouth the same as a bridle bit. Now should the horse attempt to bite the corners on the gag cut his gums. A few lessons, one each day, will serve to overcome most biters.

Tearing blankets. When standing in the stable many horses have the habit of biting and tearing their blankets. To overcome this, attach one end of a bar to the halter and the other end to a surcingle. As this prevents the horse from turning the head to either side, he cannot reach the blanket with his teeth. Another device is made by using a noseband and suspending small, short chains from the front, back and side in such a form, that when the horse turns to get hold of the blanket with his teeth, the chain appliance prevents him from doing so. This has the advantage of the muzzle in that the animal can eat with it attached.

Gorging grain.—There are many methods of overcoming the horse that eats greedily, often swallowing his grain without mastication. A very good plan is to feed the grain in a large, flat-bottomed grain box, as this prevents the horse from getting much grain at a mouthful. Some persons feed the grain on hay, and others recommend placing round stones in the grain box, but the confirmed grain gorger is usually an adept at throwing stones out before eating the grain.

Rolling. To overcome the habit of rolling in the stall, secure a small ring and sew it in the top of the halter. Suspend a small rope from the ceiling so that it will hang directly over the horse's neck when standing at the manger. Attach a snap to the lower end of the rope, and snap into the ring at the top of the halter. This rope should be long enough to allow the horse to get his nose to the ground. This will permit him to lie down, but as he cannot place the top of his head on the ground he is unable to roll.

Difficult to shoe.-Because of improper training many horses are difficult to shoe. To overcome this habit,

first pole the legs thoroughly as suggested for the kicker. Next attach the war bridle and gently run the hand down the left shoulder toward the leg. If the horse resists punish him with the bridle. Continue working the hand down the leg and punish with the bridle, until he submits. Lift the foot, and if he resists strap it up as in throwing with the throwing harness. Now lead him about on three feet for a few minutes to teach him to balance himself. If he attempts to settle down on one knee punish with the war bridle. Change the leg strap to the other side and gentle the right front foot in a similar manner.

one.

To gentle the left hind foot, rub the hand along the body and down the hind leg to the hoof, punishing with the war bridle if he resists. Attach the rope to the left hind pastern. If he attempts to kick, strap up the left fore foot. Should he attempt to kick in this position he will throw himself out of balance and fall. As soon as the rope is secured to the hind pastern, unstrap the front Now have an assistant take this rope and attempt to lift the foot with it, first standing well in front and out of the horse's reach should he attempt to kick. If the horse refuses to lift the foot, give several sharp jerks on the war bridle, when he will usually raise it. Next have the assistant take a position in the rear, and try to lift the foot as before, standing well back behind the horse. If the horse refuses, punish with the bridle, when he will usually lift it. Gentle the other hind foot similarly.

CHAPTER XXXIX

HARNESSING THE HORSE

The various parts of the harness should be properly adjusted, as a perfectly fitted harness adds much to the horse's comfort and increases his usefulness. The horse not only accomplishes his work by means of the harness, but receives much of his information concerning our wishes by it as well. Thus unequal pressure, due to poorly fitting harness is likely to abrade the parts and leave the impression with the horse that we are punishing him, which may provoke vicious habits. This is emphasized by the fact that a sore mouth produced by a poorly fitted bit or bridle often excites the horse to running away; a sore neck or shoulders, the result of an ill-fitting collar, often induces the horse to balking; and a sore tail, produced by an improperly adjusted crupper, often provokes the horse to kicking. Since not only the usefulness of the horse, but his safety as well, depends so largely upon the adjustment of the harness, much careful consideration should be given to the harnessing of the horse.

Bridle and check rein.-Since the bridle and bit is our main reliance for conveying orders to the horse's mind for execution, it is important that it be properly adjusted so as to retain the natural sensitiveness of the mouth. A responsive mouth contributes to the efficiency and safety of the horse. A good mouth-one with sensitive barsis natural to the horse. "Tender," "hard," and all kinds of "spoiled" mouths result from improper training and handling. When we recall the extreme tenderness of the horse's mouth, the cruel manner in which it is often fitted and the pain resulting from the sores thus produced, we can appreciate why a horse may lag behind until the parts