376 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



horse from raising them to kick. But even this is no 

 security, as by violent efforts on the part of the animal the 

 strap may break, and no one can tell what may be the con- 

 sequence. I had a particularly handsome and powerful 

 mare which possessed this vice, and although I adopted 

 every means to break her of it, I found it impossible. I 

 sold her, and the person who bought her was sure he could 

 effect a cure ; but he was mistaken, and he parted with her. 

 Her fine form soon found a ready purchaser, and in six 

 months she was in the hands of eight different persons. 

 Never trust a kicker. 



BITING. 



This trick often proceeds from play, and is taught by the 

 folly of grooms or stable-boys teazing the animals. But 

 what they have thus acquired as sport, becomes a fixed 

 habit ; and when thwarted in any manner, they will some- 

 times bite with great severity. Like other vices, this is 

 difficult of cure, and it is but seldom they can be really 

 broken of it. Teazing a horse should be strictly forbidden, 

 and the groom or stable-boy severely punished when detected 

 in the act. Biting, like other vices, should never be taught 

 the animal, as it is easier to avoid it than to effect a cure. 

 Gentle treatment is the best suited for all our domestir^ 

 animals, and the surest way to command their affections. 

 Bad-tempered and tricky grooms ought to be scouted by 

 every one ; and any master giving such a person a cha- 

 racter, is highly culpable, and ought to be held up to public 

 scorn. 



SEIZING THE CHEEK OF THE BIT. 



Some horses are so cunning as to get the cheek of the bit 

 into their mouth, which gives them a great command over 



