CHAPTER VII 

 OUTDOOR VICES AND WHIMS 



Broadly speaking, the chief cause of all the bad 

 habits of a horse is poor management at some stage 

 of his career. Such habits may have been formed 

 during colthood, when the youngster is very sensitive 

 to his surroundings, and when he is only too often 

 made to do things that seem ^'cute." In later life 

 these very things may serve to lessen his usefulness. 

 They may be formed during the training period ; 

 frequently the animal's mouth is spoiled by the use of 

 a severe bridle-bit or an improperly fitting one ; and his 

 shoulders, back and tail are made exceedingly sensi- 

 tive to pressure by improperly fitting harness; or 

 simply by lack of proper training. Again, such 

 habits may be due solely to the inability of the 

 horse to do that which is required of him. This 

 may depend on some unknown physical impediment 

 that makes it impossible for the horse to act as we 

 desire. It is seldom if ever that a horse is really 

 born vicious. While it may be true that temper is 

 transmitted, and that certain tempers are more pre- 

 disposed than others to develop vice, yet vice itself 

 is not a hereditary character. 



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