36 HOESE-KEEPING FOR AMATEURS. 



up to whatever it is that has frightened him, but use no 

 violent measures. Speak soothingly, and let him, if possible, 

 approach the object of his alarm, and inspect it at his leisure ; 

 then pat and make much of him. Of course, if you have 

 fully satisfied yourself that the shying proceeds, not from 

 fear, but vice, a little punishment may be necessary ; but 

 always avoid it if possible. 



Kicking in Saddle may be either from playfulness, or with 

 the object of getting rid of the rider. In either case, it should 

 be checked at once, by catching tight hold of the reins, and 

 hitting the horse down the shoulder two or three times, 

 speaking sharply to him at the same moment. I do not 

 regard kicking in the saddle as a dangerous vice, but it may 

 possibly unseat the inexperienced horseman. 



Buck-jumping is where a horse gives a succession of plunges, 

 rounding his back like a wheel at the same time. Some of 

 the worst buck-jumpers are very hard to sit, and plenty of 

 them have a nasty knack of breaking their girths by this 

 trick. The treatment is the same as for kickers, with the 

 addition of a liberal supply of spur. 



Last, but not least, we come to the question of Bolting. 

 Now, it is obvious that the degree of unpleasantness which it is 

 possible to get out of this form of equine amusement varies with 

 the locality, amount of trafiSc about at the time, &c. If horses 

 would only choose to bolt up a long, stiff hill, or over a limitless 

 expanse of ploughed fields, there would be very little harm 

 resulting from it. Unfortunately, they do not ; and if a 

 crowded thoroughfare, flanked with glass shop-fronts, is the 

 place selected, the consequences may be serious. A Ohifney 

 bit should be used on a determined bolter, but gently, until 

 he does bolt, as it is so sharp that few will face it for long. 

 Some do better with a sharply-twisted snaffle, with which a 

 horse's mouth can be '*sawn," i.e., the reins pulled alternately, 

 and not together. Directly he " goes " with you, gather your 

 reins up calmly, then take a sharp pull at him ; not a continued 

 or •' dead " pull, which will have no effect at all. Ease the 

 mouth if your first pull is ineffectual, and try at it again ; 

 then saw the mouth sharply, especially if he gets his 'head 

 down. If you find yourself practically powerless to stop his 

 headlong career, and you are likely to do some serious mischief 

 by continuing, you must gather him together, and then ram 

 his head straight into the back of a heavy cart, into a hedge, 



