DEFENSES OF THE HORSE. 281 



BALKING. When a horse stops on the road 

 and refuses to move in any direction, it may be 

 owing to disease (immobility), or to obstinacy. 

 In either case, it will be better for the rider to 

 make no effort to induce him to move, but she 

 should quietly and patiently remain in the sad- 

 dle until he evinces a disposition to advance, 

 when he should be made to stand a little longer. 

 If his defense be due to obstinacy, this course 

 will be a punishment ; but should it be due to 

 disease, the detention will be no disadvantage 

 nor punishment to him, but rather an advantage, 

 as it will enable him to gain composure. It is 

 rarely, however, that a horse proves balky, un- 

 less as the result of some disease of the brain or 

 of the heart, rheumatic pain, etc. 



BACKING. Should a horse commence back- 

 ing, when on the road, he must have his head 

 quickly turned toward the direction in which he 

 is backing. Thus, if he be backing toward a 

 dangerous declivity, he will be able to see that 

 what he is doing threatens danger to himself, 

 and will be checked. Then he must be backed 

 some little distance away from the danger, and 

 in the direction toward which he is desired to 

 go. If, however, the horse continues to back 

 toward the dangerous place, notwithstanding 

 the rider's efforts to turn him, the safest course 



