86 VICE. 



the coronet) of one hind leg, or a log in this way to 

 each hind leg may be used if necessary. Another 

 means is to pad all parts of the stable that can be 

 reached by the hind feet. In many instances where 

 this plan is adopted, the animal, no longer hearing any 

 noise suggesting to his fancy resistance from behind, 

 will cease kicking altogether, from no other explainable 

 cause. For padding use some pads of hay or oaten 

 straw, covered with coarse canvass, and nailed to all 

 places within reach of his heels. Sometimes, where 

 the habit is supposed to arise from spite towards a 

 neighbour, a change of location will answer. In other 

 cases nothing but arming all parts of the stable within 

 reach with furze bushes, or other prickly repellants, 

 will succeed. 



It will be well, in treating this vice, to try the rem- 

 edies here recommended in rotation ; first with the 

 otherwise quiet horse try the log, then the padding, 

 the change of location, and the prickly armour in suc- 

 cession. It is a remarkable fact that horses seldom 

 kick in the stable during daylight ; leaving a light in 

 the stable through the night may therefore effect a cure 

 where all else has failed ; but as light interferes with 

 sleep, it should be the very last resource. 



Rearing is of little consequence in harness, and sel- 

 dom attempted to any extent ; but to the rider it is, in 

 my opinion, the most dangerous of all bad habits to 

 which a brute may be addicted. As I consider it 

 almost impossible for a horseman to cure a practised 

 rearer, my advice to the owner of such a beast would 

 be, instead of risking his life in the endeavour, to get 

 rid of him to some buyer, who will place him where, 

 in the penal servitude of harness, he may perhaps eke 



