TBB HORSE DOCTOR. 



BACKING OR GflBBING. 



One kind of restiveness is backing or gibbing". Sonne 

 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 effec 

 tual. Others, even after starting, exhibit considerable 

 obstinacy and viciousness. This is frequently the ef- 

 fect of bad breaking. Either the shoulder of the horse 

 had been wrung when he w*as first put to the collar, or 

 he had been foolishly accustomed to be started iu'the 

 break up-hill, and therefore, all his work coming upon 

 him at once, he gradually acquired the dangerous habit. 



A hasty and passionate breaker will 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 

 itsftlf in the form of gibbing as long as he lives. The 

 judicious horse-breaker will resort to no severity, even if 

 the colt should go out several times without even touch- 

 ing collar. The example of his companion will ulti- 

 mately induce him to take to it voluntarily and ejeo. 

 tually. 



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, will gradually for- 

 get this unpleasant trick. It will likewise be of advan- 

 tage, as often as it can be managed, so to start that the 

 horse shall have to back up hill. The difficulty of ac- 

 complishing this will soon make him readily go forward. 

 A little coaxing or leading, or moderate flagellation, will 

 assist in accomplishing the cure. 



When, however, a horse, thinking he has had enough 

 of work, or has been improperly checked or corrected, or 

 beginning to feel the painful' pressure of the collar, 

 swerves, gibs, and backs, it is a more serious matter. 

 Persuasion should first be tried ; and afterwards, reason- 



