The Republican Journal

HOW TO TREAT BALKY HORSES

If you have a balky horse, it is your own fault, and not the horse's, for if they do not pull true, there is some cause for it, and if you will remove the cause, the effect will cease. When your horse balks he is excited, and does not know what you want him to do. When he gets a little excited, stop him five or ten minutes; let him become calm; go to the balky horse, pat him and speak gently to him; and as soon as he is over his excitement, he will, in nine cases out of ten pull at the word. Whipping and slashing and swearing only make the matter worse. After you have gentled him awhile, and his excitement has cooled down, take him by the bits; turn him each way a few minutes, as far as you can; pull out the tongue; gentle him a little; unrein him; then step before the balky horse, and let the other start first; then you can take them anywhere you wish. A balky horse is always high spirited and starts quick: half the pull is out before the other starts; by standing before him the other starts first. By close application to this rule, you can make any balky horse pull. If a horse has been badly spoiled, you should hitch him to the empty wagon, and pull it round awhile on level ground; then put on a small load and increase it gradually, caressing as before, and in a short time you can have a good work horse. [American Farmer.