522 



The Book of the Horse. 



often cause indigestion. There are a host of mechanical contrivances recommended as remedies, 

 some of which are more dangerous than the disease. Mr. Blackwell has a collection of straps, 

 muzzles, forks, and bits, that those who can journey to Oxford Street, London, may examine 

 with profit. Crib-biters can seldom be got into condition, and are quite unfit for a small stud, 

 as they are likely to be ill when most wanted. 



Kickers. — Some horses, particularly mares, will kick all night, and kick down any partition 

 not of stout material and workmanship. Such animals generally have capped hocks and other 

 blemishes, the signs of their amusement. 



Straps, chains, and clogs, attached to the hind-legs, often fail to check this vice ; violent 

 punishment has no effect. In the day time an experiment might be tried of carrying a strap 

 from the hind-legs to a bit ; it might answer, from the severe punishment each kick occasioned, 

 with a young horse. A very good anti-kicking .strap has been invented and advertised by 

 Messrs. Wilkinson and Kidd. 



But although patience and perseverance may do a great deal with young animals, especially 



WILKINSON AND KIDD S 

 KICKING STRAP. 



WOODEN BIT, FOR DRFSSING 

 A HORSE THAT BITES. 



when the vice has been created by ill-usage, nothing will cure an aged and confirmed kicker, 

 who may generally be known by marks on his hind-legs. 



Vicious in Cleaning. — Many horses resist and try to kick and bite the groom when cleaned, 

 in consequence of being very fine-skinned. If the brush hurts them they flinch and kick, and 

 are tied up close, beaten, and brushed harder, until grooming them becomes a dangerous fight. 



When a horse shows viciousness of this character, the better plan is to take him to some 

 school, fold-yard, or other place where he cannot hurt himself if he throws himself down. Put a 

 headstall on him with a huge wooden bit, which will not only make biting impossible, but 

 occupy his attention. Strap up one fore-leg, and leave his head loose. Begin by wiping 

 him all over with a wet sponge, washing him, in fact ; then shift the strap to the other fore-leg, 

 and dress him with a wet wisp of hay. Caress him ; take out the bit, reward him with a 

 few slices of carrot, and take him back to his feed. After a few lessons of this kind dress 

 him with a soft brush, and, if not incurably vicious, when he finds you do not hurt him he 

 will not try to hurt you. Dinneford, of New Bond Street, sells a horse glove, for dressing 

 thin-skinned animals, which requires no special art to use. 



Horses difficult to shoe must be treated on the same principles. 



Twitches applied to the nose and ears may subdue % horse, but they give so much pain that 

 they are sure to aggravate viciousness. 



