356 VICES AND DEFECTS OF THE HORSE. 



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 playful- 

 ness than desire of mischief. A moderate application of the whip will usually be 

 effectual. Others, even after starting, exhibit considerable obstinacy and vicious- 

 ness. 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 accus 

 tomed 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 judi- 

 cious 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 gradually 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 he has had enough of work, or has been impro- 

 perly checked or corrected, or beginning to feel the painful pressure of the collar, 

 swerves, and gibs, and backs, it is a more serious matter. Persuasion should first be 



The animal is so completely conquered, that it submits quietly ever after, and is led or rode 

 away with very little difficulty." 



Mr. Ellis, B. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, happened to read this account, and he 

 felt a natural desire to ascertain how far this mode of HORSE-TAMING might be employed 

 among British horses. He soon had the opportunity of putting the veracity of the story to 

 the test. His brother-in-law had a filly, not yet a year old, that had been removed from hei 

 dam three months before, and since that time had not been taken out of the stable. A great 

 amateur in everything relating to horses was present, and at his request it was determined 

 that the experiment of the efficacy of breathing into the nostrils should be immediately put to 

 the test. The filly was brought, the amateur leading her by the halter. She was quite wild, 

 and bolted, and dragged the amateur- a considerable distance. He had been using a short 

 halter ; he changed it for a longer one, and was then able to lead the little scared thing to the 

 front of the house. The experiment was tried under manifest disadvantage, for the filly was 

 in the open air, several strangers were about her, and both the owner and the amateur were 

 rather seeking amusement from the failure than knowledge from the success of their experi- 

 ment. 



The filly was restive and frightened, and with great difficulty the amateur managed to cover 

 her eyes. At length he succeeded, and blew into the nostrils. No particular effect seemed 

 to follow. He then breathed into her nostrils, and the moment he did so, the filly, who had 

 very much resisted having her eyes blindfolded, and had been very restive, stood perfectly 

 still and trembled. From that time she became very tractable. Another gentleman also 

 breathed into her nostrils, and she evidently enjoyed it, and kept putting up her nose to receive 

 the breath. 



On the following morning she was led out again. She was perfectly tractable, and it seemed 

 to be almost impossible to frighten her. 



A circumstance which, in a great measure corroborated the possibility of easily taming the 

 most ferocious horses, occurred on the next day. A man, on a neighbouring farm, was 

 attempting to break-in a very restive colt, who foiled him in every possible way. After seve- 

 ral mariffiuvres the amateur succeeded in breathing into one of the nostrils, and from that 

 moment all became easy. The horse was completely subdued. He suffered himself to bo 

 led quietly away with a loose halter, and was perfectly at command. He was led through a 

 field in which were four horses that had been his companions. They all surrounded him ; he 

 took no notice of them, but quietly followed his new master. A surcingle was buckled on 

 him, and then a saddle, and he was finally fitted with a bridle. The whole experimen* 

 occupied about an hour, and not in a single instance did he rebel. 



On the next day, however, the breaker, a severe and obstinate fellow, took him in hand, 

 arid, according to his usual custom, began to beat him most cruelly. The horse broke from 

 nim, and became as unmanageable as ever. The spirit of the animal had been subdued bu* 

 tot broken. 



