NERVOUSNESS AND VICE. 



It is evident that vices caused by disease, or 

 infirmity, do not come within the province of the 

 breaker. 



6. The fact of having been taught some trick 

 — for instance, kicking when touched behind the 

 saddle — the practice of which constitutes a vice. 



Vice m the Horse^ from a breaking point of 

 view, may be held to signify the practice, on the 

 part of the animal towards man, of disobedience 

 — wilful or otherwise — of any legitimate com- 

 mand ; or want of docility. 



The distinction between nervousness and deliberate 

 vice may be easily made, if we observe how a 

 horse acts after we have proved to him that he 

 need have no fear of us. For instance, if we ^y. 

 up a horse, say, in a ''strait-jacket," (see page ii8) 

 so that he cannot kick, and continue to "gentle" 

 him over with our hand, until he is thoroughly 

 assured of the good faith of our intentions ; we 



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