60 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



others to do likewise, especially if a nervous 

 timidity form a portion of their nature. I 

 am strongly of opinion, however, that 

 decisive measures are at times an absolute 

 necessity, and that the most effectual remedy 

 for an evil is invariably the best to adopt. I 

 have heard it said by two very eminent 

 horsemen that to break a bottle of water 

 between the ears of a rearing animal is an 

 excellent and effectual cure. Perhaps it may 

 be — and, on such authority, we must suppose 

 that it is — but I should not care to be the one 

 to try it, although I consider no preventive 

 measure too strong to adopt when deahng 

 with so dangerous a vice. A horse may be 

 guilty of jibbing, bolting, kicking, or almost 

 any other fault, through nervousness or 

 timidity, but rearing is a vicious trick, and 

 must be treated with prompt determination. 

 It would be useless to speak encouragingly to 

 a rearer ; he is vexing you from vice, not 

 from nervousness, and so he needs no re- 

 assurance — do not waste words upon him, 

 but bring him to his senses with promptitude, 

 or whilst you are dallying he may tumble 



