VICIOUS HORSES 229 



that they would be almost free from this diaboli- 

 cal vice if riders had mild bits instead of sharp 

 ones, because Bush horses have a clear concep- 

 tion of bucking, but hardly ever rear extremely 

 badly ; simply on account of being ridden in 

 snaffles. 



To attempt to decide what is the nastiest trick a 

 horse can have would be very indiscreet, as good 

 riders may consider that unexpected kicking is 

 more treacherous than anything else ; it certainly 

 is a horrid vice. A well-known man to hounds, 

 who is a member of a north country hunt, had, 

 and still may have, one of the best examples of 

 an incorrigible kicker. This equine phenomenon 

 considered it necessary to unseat his owner, who 

 was a crack horseman, at least once a day, out 

 hunting. If the animal could have talked, he 

 might have humanely asked, " When shall I 

 buck you off?" The owner was bound to get a 

 pearler, and usually the hunter doubled himself 

 up and sent his rider flying clean over his head 

 on the way to the meet. Naturally nobody was 

 over-anxious to ride this inveterate kicker, his 

 owner and groom excepted ; nevertheless he 

 had several good points, or, as may be easily 

 imagined, a bullet would have terminated his 

 career, whilst he was in the prime of life. He 

 was too good to shoot. 



Not only could this horse gallop and stay, but 

 he was a wonderfully safe fencer, and was worth 

 300 guineas to a man who was prepared to sit 

 on a monomaniac kicker. For, mind you, he 

 only bucked once a day, but once was enough. 



