228 VICIOUS HORSES 



towards home his manners improved, and he 

 would face sights and Hsten to noises which he 

 pretended to dread when leaving the stable. 

 Under good management this horse might never 

 have become a confirmed rearer, though his sire 

 was distinctly sullen, it must be admitted. He 

 gained the mastery over nearly every one who 

 was not particularly strong in the saddle, and 

 was certain to "play up" when a stranger got 

 on his back, and, though a magnificent fencer 

 when hounds were running, he would repeatedly 

 refuse little jumps in cold blood if his temper 

 was roused. 



It is well to remember that there are two 

 distinct kinds of rearing, and, though both are 

 exasperating, one is decidedly less dangerous 

 than the other, (a) Some horses will stand on 

 their hind legs fighting the air, out of sheer 

 temper, yet are much too fond of themselves to 

 come over backwards, (d) Hot-headed rearers 

 are more dangerous than collected ones, because 

 they are more inclined to lose their balance, 

 when inexperienced riders clutch the reins. But 

 clever horsemen rarely get hurt by this class, 

 because directly their mounts feel like perform- 

 ing, they shorten one of the reins, and give him 

 a reminder with a whip or stick down the withers. 

 If this form of correction is done in a resolute 

 manner, it is surprising how weary a rearer gets 

 of being punished without being able to continue 

 his pet trick, for horses cannot comfortably get 

 on their hind legs with their heads crooked. 



It is only fair to give horses their due, and add 



