The training and breaking of horses by Harper Merritt Wesley 1877-

Author:Harper, Merritt Wesley, 1877-
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horses
Publisher: New York, The Macmillan company
Published: 1912-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

OUTDOOR VICES, THEIR CAUSE AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Balking. — This is a vice in which the horse refuses to obey the commands of his master. It varies in degree, sometimes the animal merely refusing to go in a certain direction or along certain roads and to pass certain objects; sometimes refusing to go to the right, to the left, forward or backward, and at other times stopping, notwithstanding the driver^s energetic efforts to get him to go; or he may lie down and refuse to get up.

The causes which excite the horse to balking are many and varied, chief of which are sore mouth, due to a poorly fitting bit or bridle; sore shoulders and neck, due to dirty or improperly fitting collar, to excessive weight on the collar or to backing; sore back, due to poorly fitting harness; sore tail, due to dirty or improperly fitting crupper; overloading; exhaustion; and to discontent with the treatment of the driver.

As balking seems to be largely a nervous trouble, it is useless to punish the horse; in fact, such treatment only increases the difficulty. First of all we must divert the animal's attention from his fixed determination not to obey. In mild cases this can be accomplished by quietly arranging the collar or bridle, by gi\'ing a bite of grass, or by picking up one front foot and gently tapping the shoe as if there were

something wrong, which serves to attract the anhnal's attention, when he will move on without further trouble.

The confirmed balker, however, must be put through a more strenuous course, as he is not to be out-generaled in any such manner. Before attempting to overcome the vice, see that he thoroughly understands and is obedient to the commands. It is not possible to make much progress until he obeys such commands as *'whoa,'' "get-up" and the like. If he does not know these simple commands, teach them to him much as suggested in training the wild horse (p. 233). Do not rush through this part of the work, but make him thoroughly obedient.

Now that the horse is perfectly obedient to the commands, harness him, and with both the guy rope (p. 201) and double safety (p. 208) attached, hitch him to a vehicle. Have an assistant manage the guy rope while you drive and tend the double safety. Drive the horse first in the training inclosure and then in the open field, continuing the commands. If he shows any tendency to balk, such as laying back his ears, looking to th6 rear and the like, give the command "whoa" at once, and before he has time to stop of his own accord. This will serve to nonplus him. In starting, the assistant should quickly take a position in front of the horse and smartly jerk him forward with the guy rope (Fig. 60) at the same instant you give the command "get-up."

As a signal you should snap the whip to the right, but without touching the animal, as the command is given.

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