128 THE STUD. 



mostly kicks merely from being ticklish, and then 

 from habit ; he means no harm. Any decent 

 stableman knows how to keep out of danger with 

 such a horse, even a common ostler does ; if not, 

 let him get a rap, and then he will learn : such a 

 horse is little objectionable. 



Many will kick in the stable so soon as the 

 lights are put out, and the men gone ; they 

 merely kick at the standings and stall post, 

 with what intention I never could find out ; 

 idleness, I conclude, first induced them to do it, 

 and habit induces them to keep it up. It is a 

 bad trick, for it not only keeps them from their 

 rest, but disturbs other horses. Yet it is no 

 serious objection ; a collarshank log, buckled with 

 a small strap in the hollow of the pastern, 

 usually stops them : if not, put on a strap, and 

 chain of twelve or fourteen inches long. This 

 rarely fails. If neither will do, put the horse in a 

 box, and let him kick till he is tired of it. 



Many horses kick when first mounted ; if the 

 purchaser is aware that he can sit tight in his saddle, 

 and does not mind the little inconvenience of this 

 habit, there is no reason to reject such a horse ; it 

 is no indication whatever of his being a kicker in 

 any other way, or any presumptive evidence of 

 vice : it is an acquired habit, of which most pro- 

 bably he will never be broken ; correction would 

 only spoil his temper, and probably induce him to 



