282 , NAVIX ox THE HOESE. 



breaking. It is a very disagreeable and even dangerous 

 liabit. It is difficult to correct. Such a horse is only safe in 

 the hands of a young, stout man. He is unfit for the saddle, 

 whatever his gait. When the vice is only the result of eager- 

 ness to go ahead, it is not so disagreeable; but it is not free 

 from danger to the rider. An eager-dispositioned horse is 

 easily let run into this habit. An active, quick horseman may 

 do much to break, a horse of this habit, by mounting him at 

 the first intimation,, and then holding him steady for a short 

 time. Gentleness and firmness are required to manage such 

 a horse. 



BALKING, BACKING, AND GIBBING. 



These habits are all the result of the same vicious dispo- 

 sition. Backing explains itself quite well. The horse will 

 back instead of going forward; or he may refuse to move 

 for some time, and then, instead of going forward, commence 

 backing. He shows the most sulky temper. A balky horse 

 may refuse to start, and after a while start off and work well 

 all day; at other times he may balk at first, and then go well 

 for a while, and stop still, and remain so for some time, and 

 then go on again. In fact, there is no dependence to be put 

 in such a horse. 'No one, however, can fail to understand 

 when a horse is falling into this vice. 



Bad management in breaking is the most frequent cause of 

 balking. No weight should be thrown on the collar until the 

 colt has become accustomed to its presence on the shoulder, 

 and then very little, pressure. Nor should this be allowed 

 at starting. The colt should learn to tolerate every thing 

 connected with moving in the harness before being required 

 to pull. Allowing the shoulder to become sore and tender 

 may get the horse into the habit of balking, or requiring 

 him to attempt to draw too heavy a load, or an ordinary load 

 through a mud road, until he is exhausted and unable to go 

 further, and then whipping him to force him to go. Some 



