98 Centatjr ; 



plunging, or bolting, and whicli, if establislied or confirmed, 

 rarely admit of cure. An accomplished, daring and deter- 

 mined rider can work wonders, or the horse may have his 

 favourite ; but let him depart from the hands who (by, as it 

 were, a fluke) control him, and he will, even years after, 

 return to his old tricks. Some horses have a habit of turning 

 the head round, and (after all other efforts have failed to 

 dislodge him from his seat) worrying or biting the rider's 

 legs, the only safe remedy for which is attaching a piece 

 of strong flat wood (known as a sword) to the bridle cheek 

 and to the girth. 



Backing and Gibbing, are much the same ; at first they 

 may be the result of playfulness or pain, which the rider 

 must determine. In any case, horsebreaking, either pro- 

 fessional or amateur, should be practised in smooth, even 

 temper. Hasty or passionate fits cause loss of control of 

 oneself and the object to be attained. Some horses have 

 vices, and, to all appearances, savage dispositions, which, in 

 reality, is mere playfulness, caused by being played with, 

 which frequently ends in teasing, and thus brings about 

 habitual ferocity. 



To cure biting the billetts, fix a large solid leather pad on 

 each side of the bit, or ride and drive with none but the 

 Author's recently invented " Vice versa Billettless Reins,"* 

 which are a sure cure, absolutely safe, and wear much longer 

 than the ordinary billetted reins. 



Kicking, is considered incurable, either in saddle or stable. 

 In harness, kicking has been frequently stimulated by 

 allowing the reins to get under the tail, and glorious results 

 have ensued, from the fact that when the reins are once 

 there the horse holds them there by pressing the tail down 

 upon them. Such horses are, at least, unreliable. 



Rearing, is frequently caused by bad horsemanship. Leaving 

 the spurs at home, or a change of bit, and dropping the 

 curb may cure. Brutal means are, as a rule, useless, and 

 are neither modern nor worthy of any man. 



A runaway horse is best controlled by presence of mind 

 and a good firm hand. If there is plenty of " sea room," 

 give the bolter all he asks and a little bit more, *'just for 



See ftai description in the Chapter " Saddlers' Guide," page 163. 



