THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY 191 



ON VICE. 



Although the horse has long been subjected to the 

 use of man, and in his domesticated state exhibits many 

 noble and excellent qualities, yet some few are, never- 

 theless, addicted to many unpleasant and at times dan- 

 gerous habits or tricks, which are denominated Vices. 

 Many of these, however, originate in the carelessness 

 or wanton disposition of the grooms, or stable-boys, 

 who will be found wilfully teasing the horse at the ex- 

 pense of his temper and comfort. Some vices, how- 

 ever, are innate, and these are not readily dismissed ; 

 others again are the effect of playfulness. 



They may be classed as follows : — Restiveness — 

 Rearing — Kicking — Jibbing — Biting — Running away 

 — Shying. To these might be added many more, 

 of which mention shall be made under a general head 

 in the course of the treatise. 



Restiveness is a vice the most disagreeable and dan- 

 gerous to which the rider can be exposed. A horse 

 given to it can never be depended on. It is doubtless 

 the seeds of a bad education, and though efforts the 

 most persevering be practised, the animal may be tran- 

 quilised for the moment, but a cure can never be 

 wholly wrought ; indeed, Mr. Youatt, and several other 

 writers agree, that, generally little wisdom is evinced, 

 nor can any regard for safety exist with him who at- ' 

 tempts to master an obstinately-vicious or restive 

 norse. 



Rearing results from many causes, but must more 

 frequently be attributed to vice than playfulness. In 

 weak horses it is very dangerous, as they are apt to 

 fall backwards, to the imminent peril of the best riders. 

 When it arises from a tender mouth, the remedy is 



