Handle the kicking horse in the forehead, and from thence every where,
except his legs and feet. Then tie up one of his fore legs, (no matter
which); handle him gently all over, and descend, by degrees to his feet,
always speaking to him: he will let you handle them in a few minutes.
Untie his fore leg, and go through the same ceremony. After repeating
this operation two or three times, he will let any one handle his feet
with the greatest ease imaginable.
HOW TO MANAGE A HORSE THAT KICKS UP, SO AS TO BREAK HIM OF THAT VICIOUS
HABIT.
A horse that is apt to kick up, ought to be dealt with in the following
manner: Put upon him a pack-saddle, if you have one; if not, something
as nigh to it as possible. Take two bags, and put one hundred and
twenty-five pounds of sand in each, if your horse is a common sized one.
Girt them on, or bind them very tight, in such a manner that no effort
of the horse can throw them off. Have another horse prepared at hand,
and some one mounted on him to take hold of the rope of the vicious
horse, the moment he is loaded with the sand. Let him start off, with
another horseman behind with a good whip in his hand; and the more he
kicks up, let him whip him the more; or, in other words, let him whip
him every time he kicks up. Let him trot off thus, about ten or fifteen
miles; at the end of which, take off his load, and let some one get
immediately upon him, and trot back with the same speed. After having
exercised him thus, for two or three times, it is not common that a
horse will ever kick up again.
It is to be observed, that if the horse should kick up with the load of
sand at the end of ten miles or more, make him go at least three miles
after he has ceased kicking up; but it is very uncommon for a horse to
kick up, after the first three or four miles. If he should appear a
little tired, you can regulate the distance, more or less, and vice
versa. I believe this to be the most infallible remedy known, without
exposing one’s self. There are other remedies, which none but a good
horseman can put in practice; but I write for every class of men that
ride on horseback, whether doctors, lawyers or priests, farmers or
merchants. If this advice should save a few necks from getting broken, I
shall feel gratified.