Vicio2isness. Aggressive Vice. 35 



sponsible for his own consequent injuries, but largel}^ also for 

 the habits of the horse and for such injuries as others may sub- 

 sequentlj' sustain from him. 



A dog or a bull shown in a public place, and which breaks 

 loose and injures spectators or others, manifestly renders his 

 master responsible for all such damage. 



Treatment of aggi'essive vice. In mild dispositions in which 

 the vice is roused by temporary' suffering, it may often be cured 

 by removal of the cause of such suffering. Indeed, without the 

 healing of sores under the collar or saddle the vice cannot be ar- 

 rested. Considerate and gentle treatment, too, will go far to re- 

 store confidence and to gradually do away with the aggressive 

 disposition. 



In wicked stallions castration will usually restore to a good 

 measure of docility. The exceptional cases appear to be tho.se 

 that are hereditarily and constitutionally vicious, or in which the 

 habit has been thoroughly developed and firml}' fixed by long 

 practice. 



Mares, too, which become vicious and dangerous at each re- 

 currence of oestrum, can usually be completely cured by the re- 

 moval of the ovaries especially if this is done early in the disease. 



The inveterate cases may usuall)' be subdued and rendered 

 controllable for a time by one of the methods of subjugation em- 

 ployed by the professional tamers, but unless they are tliereafter 

 kept in good hands the^^ are lial)le to relapse into the old habit. 

 Among the more effective methods are the Rare}' mode of throw- 

 ing which may be repeated again and again until the animal is 

 thoroughly impressed with a sen.se of the domination of man and 

 the futility of resistance ; the resort of tj'ing the head and tail 

 closely together and letting the animal weary and daze himself 

 b}' turning in a circle, first to the one side and then to the other ; 

 the application of the Comanche bridle made of a small rope, one 

 loop of which is passed through the mouth and back of the ears 

 and drawn tightly, then another loop is made to encircle the 

 lower jaw, and the chin is drawn in against the trachea b}'' 

 passing the free end of the rope round the upper part of the neck 

 and again through the loop encircling the lower jaw and draw- 

 ing it tight ; or a similar small rope is passed a number of times 

 through the mouth and back of the ears and drawn tightly so as 



