90 Horses and Horsemastership, 



predisposing cause. Very often a horse who will kick 

 in this way when tied up in a stall wont do so in a 

 loose-box. 



Bolting usually has its inception in ner\'ousness on the 

 part of the horse and incompetence on the part of the 

 person in charge of him at the time. Something 

 frightens the animal, and he breaks into a gallop, which 

 if not promptly checked becomes a mad race. A horse 

 well mouthed as a youngster rarely becomes a confirmed 

 bolter, simpl}' because he is amenable to the bit; but 

 a horse whose mouth has been spoiled, or which is natur- 

 ally of a wooden description, if he is allowed to get away 

 once will probably repeat the performance on the first 

 available opportunity, especially if he knows that his 

 rider is incompetent ; for many a horse will bolt with a 

 bad or indifferent horseman who wouldn't presume to 

 do so with a good man up. The value of good hands is 

 probably never so clearly demonstrated as in connection 

 ^dth a high-couraged animal wath a tendency to run 

 away. Once begin messing his mouth about and it& 

 long odds on trouble ensuing. A few soothing words ^ 

 a pat on the neck, and that light and even feeling of 

 the mouth, that give and take check which only a man 

 possessing good hands knows how to employ, and the 

 horse will most likely soon stead}^ dowm. Tlie rider's 

 confidence in himself begets the confidence of his mount. 



