282 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



will be to dismount instantly. Backing is some- 

 times, if not very frequently, due to confused 

 vision, rush of blood to the head, pain in the 

 head, etc. 



GAYETY. When a horse moves one ear 

 back and forth, or keeps agitating first one and 

 then the other, at the same time moving his 

 head and neck up and down, and, perhaps, also 

 champing upon his bit, he is feeling gay, and 

 his rider must be on her guard, as he may 

 unexpectedly jump. While keeping a steady 

 hand upon the reins, she must urge him to move 

 forward at a regular and somewhat rapid gait, 

 for this will be what he wants in order to work 

 off his superfluous spirits. 



KICKING. A horse, when defending himself 

 against anything whatever, will always lay his 

 ears flat upon the back of his head ; this is his 

 attitude and signal for a battle, and he is then 

 ready to kick, bite, plunge, or rear. When the 

 ears are only momentarily placed back, it may 

 be from playfulness, but when maintained in 

 this position, he is angry and vicious, and may 

 make a desperate effort to throw his rider. In 

 the company of other horses he will attempt to 

 bite or kick at them. As soon as he is observed 

 to gaze fixedly upon any animals in his vicinity, 

 while at the same time he puts his ears back, 



