KICKING. 99 



but merely to push the object of their attention out of the 

 way, as we may occasionally see a mare do to her foal. 

 Horses often kick in play without any vicious design. 

 I am convinced that many apparently vicious kicks which 

 miss their marks, are delivered, not with the desire of 

 sending the blow ^Miome," but to warn the intruder 

 against nearer approach. 



When a horse kicks out behind, he will put extra 

 weight on his fore-hand, and, as a rule, will lower his 

 head. When he cow-kicks or strikes out in front, he will 

 raise his head and bring his weight back. 



In almost all cases, just before a horse kicks, he will 

 draw back his ears, and more or less show " the white 

 of his eyes." If the suspicious object be behind him, 

 he will bring his head slightly round so as to see it, and 

 will prepare for his attack by bending the fetlock and 

 raising off the ground the heel of the hind leg of that side. 

 A horse cannot kick with the hind leg upon which he 

 is resting his weight ; for he has to transfer the weight 

 to its fellow before he brings it into play. My readers 

 will observe that I have used the word " slightly " with 

 reference to the extent the animal turns his head when 

 he gets ready to " lash out " ; for if he brings it round 

 a good deal, he will be obliged to put more weight on 

 the hind leg of the side to which he is looking, than on 

 its fellow, and would consequentl}^ have a difficulty in 

 using it. 



7* 



