CHAPTER III. 



Vices, and disagreeable or dangerous Habits. 



IN the last chapter we gave instances of mischievous 

 propensities directed only against certain kinds of ob- 

 jects, and displaying all the characters of what is 

 called monomania. These are rare cases ; but it is 

 not uncommon to find horses, whom no jury would 

 pronounce insane, but who are addicted to the worst 

 and most malevolent practices, such as kicking, biting, 

 and plunging without provocation, or to shying and 

 starting from mere wantonness, to the great danger 

 and annoyance of their riders. These and other vices 

 are partly the effect of a naturally bad temper, and 

 partly of bad education. Horses, for instance, that are 

 teased by the thoughtless play of grooms and stable 

 boys, will begin by pretending to bite or kick their 

 tormentors ; by-and-by they will do so in earnest, and 

 at last the habit will be permanently confirmed. Al- 

 most all veterinary surgeons are agreed in considering 

 it hopeless to attempt the cure of these vices when 

 once established. Professor Stewart says, " I have 



