VICIOUS HORSES 223 



by troopers, who derived amusement from her 

 abnormal squeals, and mischievously wished to 

 cultivate them. 



Unquestionably those who watched that mare 

 kick and heard her frenzied snorts will never 

 forget her dislike to breeching, blinkers, traces, 

 lunging-rein, and carriage whip. 



Whenever a horse nervously sidles into, or out 

 of, his stable, it is rather an ominous sign. The 

 betting in such cases is about even money that 

 the animal has previously met with a mishap that 

 will make him troublesome for life. It may 

 be that he is prejudiced against gates, having 

 formerly been trapped. Possibly years before 

 we saw him, a stable-door may have blown to 

 just as he was being led out. Anyway, it is 

 advisable to watch an animal of this sort very 

 carefully, and, if possible, find out its pet iniquity 

 early rather than late. However, to show that 

 every buyer should not invariably be unnecessarily 

 suspicious is proved by the following anecdote : — 



Some years ago one of the smartest cobs — he 

 was christened Nobby — had a run of bad luck as 

 a five-year-old. He lost his character through a 

 drunken groom thrashing him with a whip, until 

 he, in self-defence, kicked the trap to pieces. A 

 day's hunting was a delight to him with a good 

 boy on his back ; no persuaders were necessary, 

 for directly the cob felt a sharp-pointed rowel he 

 resented the insult by parting company with his 

 rider. 



Purely owing to Nobby's force of character, 

 he was doomed to be sold privately to the first 



