BACKING OR GIBBING. G05 



haps, of natural intrepidity, in which, T believe, a great part of his art 

 consisted ; though the circumstance of the tete-a-tete shows that, on par- 

 ticular occasions, something more must have been added to it. A faculty 

 like this would, in some hands, have made a fortune, and I understand 

 that o-reat offurs were made to him for the exercise of his art abroad. But 

 hunting was his passion. He lived at home in the style most agreeable to 

 liis disposition, and nothing could induce him to quit Duhallow and the 

 fox-hounds.' 



Mr. Castley witnessed the total failure of the younger bullivan. lie 

 says, ' We have in the regiment a remarkably nice horse, called Lancer, 

 that'has always been very difficult to shoe ; but seven or eight years ago, 

 when we first got him, he was downright vicious in that respect. When 

 the regiment was stationed at Cork, the farrier-major sought out the 

 present Sullivan, the son of the celebrated Whisperer, and brought him 

 up to the barracks in order to try his hand upon Lancer, and make hnn 

 more peaceable to shoe ; but I must say this person did not appear to 

 possess any particular controlling power over the animal more than any 

 other man. Lancer seemed to pay no attention whatever to his charm, 

 and at last fau-ly beat him out of the forge. Time, however, and a long 

 perseverance in kind and gentle treatment, have effected what force could 

 not. The horse is now pretty reasonable to shoe.' 



BACKING OR GIBBING. 



One of the first kinds of restiveness, takuig them in alphabetical order, 

 is backing or gibbing. These are so closely alKed that we hardly know 

 how to separate them. Some horses have the habit of backing at first 

 starting, and that more from playfuhiess than desire of mischief. A 

 moderate apphcation of the whip will usually be eflTectual. Others, even 

 after starting, exhibit considerable obstinacy and viciousness. This is 

 frequently the efiFect of bad breaking. Either the shoulder of the horse 

 had been wrung when he was first put to the collar, or he had been fool- 

 ishly accustomed to be started in the break ii.p-liill, and, therefore, all his 

 work coming upon him at once, he gradually acquired this dangerous 



habit. 



A hasty and passionate breaker ^-ill often make a really good-tempered 

 young horse an inveterate gibber. Every young horse is at first shy of the 

 collar. If he is too quickly forced to throw his weight into it, he will 

 possibly take a dislike to it, that will occasionally show itself in the form 

 of gibbing as long as he fives. The judicious horse-breaker will resort to 

 no severity, even if the colt should go out several times Avithout even 

 touching collar. The example of his companion will ultimately induce him 

 to take to it voluntarily and efTectually. 



A large and heavy stone should be put behind the wheel before starting, 

 when the horse, finding it more difficult to back than to go forward, Avill 

 gradually forget this unpleasant trick. It Avill likewise be of advantage, 

 as often as it can be managed, so to start that the horse shall have to back 

 up-hill. The difficulty of accomplishing this will soon make him readily 

 go forward. A httle coaxing, or leaduig, or moderate flagellation, will 

 assist in accomplishing the cure. 



' When, however, a horse, thinking that he has had enough ot work, or 

 hasbeen'improperly checked or corrected, or beginning to feel the painful 

 pressure of the collar, swerves, and gibs, and backs, it is a more serious 

 matter Persuasion should first be tried ; and afterwards, reasonable 

 coercion, but no cruelty : for the brutahty which is often exercised m 

 attempting to compel a gibbing horse to throw Inmself habitually into the 



