BACKING, OR GIBBIXG. 378 



animal draAv a little. He feels the weight of the break, and 

 then by halting and pulling him backwards the weight is 

 removed, and the animal finds it much easier to back down 

 hill than to pull ; and hence a habit of backing is acquired, 

 which is both troublesome and dangerous 



With horses which have this habit at starting, the best 

 method to break them of it is to place a large heavy stone 

 behind the wheel ; and the horse, feeling he is unable to 

 back, will generally proceed forward, finding it more easy 

 to do so ; and by carefully continuing this practice, the 

 horse will gi'adually be broken of the bad habit. Another 

 plan, nearly as good, is to start the horse, if it can possibly 

 be managed, with the back of the machine placed towards a 

 rising ground ; and as it is more difiicult at all times to 

 force it backward than forward, besides the hill being 

 against him, he will prefer going forward to backward. 

 Sometimes it will be necessary to lead the horse for a short 

 distance, and when the groom has quitted the reins, a gentle 

 touch with the whip will make him proceed. If, however, 

 he is determinedly obstinate, there will be little chance of 

 succeeding by forcible means ; and if the driver is resolved 

 to use compulsion, we would recommend that it should not 

 be attempted unless there is a wide space, where by tight 

 reining the driver may back him in the particular direction 

 •which he wishes, and it would be very desirable to do so 

 up-hill if the ground inclines in the neighbourhood. But 

 still there is considerable danger in the attempt. 



Gibbing and backing are frequently produced by the pain 

 inflicted on a horse where the collar is tight or does not fit. 

 Some horses have also a great dislike to a cold collar, and 

 when this is the case, it ought to be lined with cloth instead 

 of leather, or a false collar or. strip of cloth may be worn 

 round the shoulders. ^lany horses, not otherwise gibbers, 



