56 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ 10 Jan., 1918. 



however, was on a tableland, and the herbage, other than dandelions, was 

 of an inferior quality, such as blue and scarlet pimpernels, sorrel, and 

 lobelia, which are all of a tonic nature. On a, small holding such as this 

 cattle have not much opportunity for instinctive choice, but if there is 

 a bone they will not miss it, and licks of salt will be much appreciated. 



POINTS ABOUT JIBBING HORSES. 



Methods of Management. 



One of the most exasperating experiences a man can have is to buy a 

 good-looking horse and find, when he puts him to work, that he is a 

 jibber. So confirmed are some animals that wlien full strength is 

 required, they " chuck it up," and will not pull an ounce. If an aged 

 horse he is incurable, and can never be relied on, so the sooner he is 

 passed out the better. What makes a horse jib ? Most young horses, if 

 properly handled, take to the collar freely enough to start with. There 

 are ample reasons why. Many a good-tempered, free puller has been 

 ruined by overloading and overdriving before the muscles of his 

 shoulders have become seasoned to the pressure of the collar. The driver 

 of a young horse should never expect him to pull a load to start with. 

 The task should be gradually increased as the horse becomes accustomed 

 to the work, and gains confidence as his shoulders harden. In all cases 

 a man should be watchful and see that his horse, especially if a young 

 one, is not getting winded or showing signs of over-fatigue b}^ breaking 

 out suddenly into a heavy sweat. Before he stops of his 0"vvn accord pull 

 him up with a sharp " whoa " ; lift the collar and let his shoulders cool 

 for a minute or two; do something to the harness while he gets his 

 wind. By doing this the ajiimal goes freely again, and is not cowed. If 

 the shoulders are over-heated and tender, and he is out of wind, violent 

 means to make him go render him frightened, then obstinate, and on the 

 right track to become a jibber. 



Why a Horse Jibs. 



Many horses are unreliable pullers and real jibbers when a heavy lift 

 is required, through bad " seating " for the collar. In some the muscles 

 of the neck come out to the point of the shoulder in quite a ridge. On 

 such a horse the collar never sits steady, and when an extra pull is neces- 

 sary its pressure is all on that muscle and not evenly distributed. A 

 horse with a neck like that will never be able to stand up to a heavy lift 

 like the one with shoulders that seat the collar more comfortably. He 

 jibs because he cannot stand the strain, and to attempt to make him go 

 with the whip renders him worse. There are horses which are born 

 rogues, whether draught, light harness, hacks, or racehorses, the last- 

 named very frequently to the dismay of the o-v\mer and backers. A 

 harness horse should never be allowed to begin jibbing. By carefully 

 observing how he is going the driver can usually circumvent it. Many 

 spirited free-goers have naturally tender shoulders, and after a spell, if 



