Chapter XIII. 



VICES. 



The horse is not naturally a vicious animal, and I 

 am therefore disposed to argue that such vices as 

 occasionally become manifest are usually the result of 

 improper handling either in the early days of his train- 

 ing or subsequently. No animal is more amenable to 

 kind but firm treatment, and it is consequently desirable 

 that no one should be entrusted with the education of a 

 horse who is not possessed of an even temper, a natural 

 love of the animal, and the requisite patience, besides 

 knowing no fear. The horse trained by such an one 

 starts his career with everything in favour of his turning 

 out a respectable and well-behaved member of the equine 

 race. I do not wish to be misunderstood. Horses, like 

 human beings, are differently constituted, both physi- 

 cally and mentally. It is more often than not the fault 

 of the tutor if the pupil develops bad habits ; and the 

 same may be said of the master and the servant. 



I quite admit that some horses are predisposed to 

 vicious habits, such as biting and kicking, and it is 

 unfortunate if animals so afflicted commence their 



