8 VICE IN THE HORSE. 



not cure the horse of rearing, and may add plung- 

 ing to its vices. A horse can be cured of the vice 

 of rearing only by the suppling of the jaw. If a 

 young horse rears without malice, as many do in 

 their early lessons, a light tap on the neck and a 

 harsh word from its master will often prevent a 

 repetition of its action, but a horse should never be 

 punished for vice. For many years I have kept 

 my horses at riding-schools where the masters 

 undertook to break the horses of their patrons from 

 bad habits. I have seen all kinds of methods 

 employed, and I have myself tried all. and I never 

 knew severity to succeed ; but I have often seen 

 horses that were dangerous to ride made safe and 

 quiet by a kind and strict discipline. A really 

 vicious horse works itself up into a rage, and 

 punishment can do nothing more than to increase 

 the violence of its madness. If the horse cannot be 

 brought to know that the rider will not hurt it, the 

 animal must remain incurably vicious. If the rider 

 can obtain the confidence of his horse, he may then 

 cultivate its obedience, until to yield to bit and spur 

 becomes instinctive ; but I believe that there are 

 some horses which cannot be broken from bad 

 habits, and any of them are liable to relapse into 

 vice through injudicious treatment. 



Most young horses plunge, more or less violently. 



