VICE OUTSIDE STABLE 153 



Backing. — ^There are some horses which acquire 

 the nasty trick of " going backwards," and the 

 animals that most go in for this vice generally 

 select a moment for doing so when circumstances 

 render the habit particularly dangerous. It is not 

 pleasant, for instance, when sitting in your vehicle 

 in front of a plate glass window to find your horse 

 advancing backwards. Again, in the country 

 where a ditch runs alongside the track, you 

 will find that your " backing " horse is, in some 

 indefineable way, impelled to select this dangerous 

 spot for the exercise of his favourite movement. 

 To cure this vice you must circle and turn the 

 delinquent in the long reins, and if he attempts to 

 back after this fasten up a fore-leg. As a lesson of 

 obedience, again, it will be of infinite service to tie 

 his head and tail together and make him move round 

 in this confined fashion until he is thoroughly 

 satisfied with his performance. 



Troublesome to Catch.— Many colts— and 

 horses and ponies as well — once they have been 

 turned into a park show the greatest reluctance 

 in allowing themselves to be caught again. And 



