PERSONALITY IN HORSEMANSHIP 211 



which appeals to the horse. Some horsemen have horses 

 with which they can do nothing ; but place these same 

 horses with a born trainer, and the animals' ways are 

 soon mended. Much has been written on the vicious 

 horse. Professor Powell says " no horse is born wicked ; 

 but they vary in temperament." His proof is that several 

 vicious stallions (made so by spiteful grooms) known 

 to him have always bred kind, docile and intelligent 

 colts. The late Mr. Winans used to say that the reason 

 why we have so many vicious horses is because vicious 

 sires and dams are bred with on account of their speed 

 or action, temperament and manners being the last 

 point considered. But I am inclined to agree with 

 Powell, for I have recently been handling a two-year-old 

 Welsh-bred cob whose dam was a bad kicker, and the 

 filly was sold for fear she should inherit the vices of 

 her dam. I can truthfully say that this filly is absolutely 

 quiet and docile to ride or drive to-day, but no doubt 

 if she had been roughly handled and teased she would 

 have been made vicious. 



Bad breaking, teasing, and cruelty all help to make a 

 horse vicious. The horse is an imitator, and he is 

 easily influenced for either good or bad, and soon forms 

 habits. Therefore act kindly and he will imitate you ; 

 always teach him good things and good habits, for this 



