98 THE HORSE. 



ance of their real danger are deceived into believing them- 

 selves good horsemen. Bearing is taught by violence and 

 by the improper or too violent use of sharp bits. The use 

 of bits of this character often destroys the original cour- 

 age of the horse, and renders him dangerous and good for 

 nothing. Unlike most other vices of the horse, that of 

 rearing is more dangerous to deal with in its earlier 

 stages than when it has become confirmed; for, in the 

 former case, the horse occasionally overbalances himself 

 and falls upon his rider, while, in the latter, past experi- 

 ence teaches the horse to retain his equilibrium, although 

 in such cases he does sometimes make mistakes. 



No nervous person should attempt to use a rearing 

 horse, as a very little mismanagement of the mouth will 

 produce serious consequences, that is to say, an inex- 

 perienced or careless rider may, by pulling a tight rein 

 when he should give a loose one, throw the horse over on 

 his back. 

 * Bearing is not easily cured: it is a VICE. 



JIBBING. 



Horses acquire the babit of jibbing, by being misman- 

 aged on their first essay in harness. They should then 

 be treated with the greatest patience, however much time 

 may be apparently wasted in getting them to start. Jib- 

 bing is curable. 



The single jibber is not, on that account, dangerous, 

 if he is not hurried, but is allowed to make his own start 

 according to his humor. 



Jibbing is dangerous, when the horse runs backward 

 instead of forward; when he lies down; and when, at 

 starting, he plunges forward: these latter three cases be- 

 ing aggravated forms of jibbing. Every form of jibbing 

 is, however, a VICE. 



