444 



BACKING OR GIBBING. 



One of the first kinds of restiveness, taking them in alphabetical order, is 

 backing or gibbing. These are so closely allied that we hardly know how to 

 separate them. Some horses have the habit of backing at first starting, and that 

 more from playfulness than desire of mischief. A moderate application of the 

 whip will usually be effectual. Others, even after starting, exhibit considerable 

 obstinacy and viciousness. This is frequently the effect of bad breaking. Either the 

 shoulder of the horse had been wrung when he was first put to the collar, or he 

 had been foolishly accustomed to be started in the break up-hill, and, therefore, all 

 his work coming upon him at once, he gradually acquired this dangerous habit. 



A hasty and passionate breaker will often make a really good tempered young 

 horse an inveterate gibber. Every young horse is at first shy of the collar. If 

 he is too quickly forced to throw his weight into it, he will possibly take a 

 dislike to it, that will occasionally show itself in the form of gibbing as long 

 as he lives. The judicious horse-breaker will resort to no severity, even if the 

 colt should go out several times without even touching collar. The example of 

 his companion will ultimately induce him to take to it voluntarily and 

 effectually. 



A large and heavy stone should be put behind the wheel before starting, 

 when the horse finding it more difficult to back than to go forward, will gradu- 

 ally forget this unpleasant trick. It will likewise be of advantage, as often as 

 it can be managed, so to start that the horse shall have to back up-hill. The 

 difficulty of accomplishing this will soon make him readily go forward. A 

 little coaxing, or leading, or moderate flagellation, will assist in accomplishing 

 the cure. 



When, however, a horse, thinking that he has had enough of work, or has been 

 improperly checked or corrected, or beginning to feel the painful pressure of 

 the collar, swerves, and gibs, and backs, it is a more serious matter. Persua- 

 sion should first be tried ; and, afterwards, reasonable coercion, but no cruelty : 



cacy of breathing into the nostrils should be seemed to be almost impossible to frighten 



immediately put to the test. The filly was her. 



brought from the stable, the amateur leading A circumstance which, in a great measure, 



her by the halter. She was quite wild, and corroborated the possibility of easily taming 



bolted, and dragged the amateur a considerable the most ferocious horses, occurred on the 



distance. He had been using a short halter; next day. A man, on a neighbouring farm, 



he changed it for a longer one, and was then was attempting to break-in a very restive colt, 



able to lead the little scared thing to the front who foiled him in every possible way. After 



of the houi=e. The experiment was tried under several manoeuvres the amateur succeeded 



manifest disadvantage, for the filly was in the in breathing into one of the nostrils, and from 



open air, several strangers were about her, and that moment all became easy. The horse was 



both the owner and the amateur were rather completely subdued. He suffered himself to 



seeking amusement from the failure than know- be led quietly away with a loose halter, and was 



ledge from the success of their experiment. perfectly at command. He was led through 



The filly was restive and frightened, and a field in which were four horses that had been 



with great difficulty the amateur managed to his companions. They all surrounded him ; 



cover her eyes. At length he succeeded, and he took no notice of them, but quietly followed 



blew into the nostrils. No particular effect his new master. A surcingle was buckled on 



seemed to follow. He then breathed into him, nnd then a saddle, and he was finally 



her nostrils, and the moment he did so, the filly, fitted with a bridle. The whole experiment 



who had very much resisted having her eyes occupied about an hour, and not in a single 



blindfolded, and had been very restive, stood instance did he rebel. 



perfectly still and trembled. From that time On the next day, however, the breaker, a 



she became very tractable. Another gentle- severe arid obstinate fellow, took him in hand, 



man also breathed into her nostrils, and she and, nccording to his usual custom, began to 



evidently enjoyed it, and kept putting up her beat him most cruelly. The horse broke from 



nose to receive the breath. him, and became as unmanageable as ever. 



On the following morning she was led out The spirit of the animal had been subdued but 



again. She was perfectly tractable, and it not brokeu. 



