106 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



sensitive skin, in which case the remedy should be the 

 adoption of other implements and a lighter method. For 

 instance, to discard the ordinary curry-comb, at least for a 

 time, and substitute stout linen rubbers, horse-hair gloves, 

 and a flexible backed brush. Of the latter, we can safely 

 say that they are in all cases of fine-coated animals prefer- 

 able to the curry-comb, and searching enough if the horse 

 is industriously groomed. In the majority of instances, 

 however, this vice has arisen from teasing the animal ; or a 

 heavy-handed fellow with a broken-toothed comb, or a 

 worn and uneven-surfaced brush, literally knocking the 

 animal about. As to teasing, we have watched many 

 strappers who took a delight in making the animal lash 

 out at random, or show his teeth ; can we wonder, then, that 

 this *' vice " is confirmed ? A change of groom, perhaps, 

 takes place, and what was previously done partly in play 

 by the stranger is treated as a manifestation of anger — or 

 " vice." If the recalcitrant animal should inflict injury on 

 the unsuspicious new-comer, of course " confirmed and 

 dangerous vice '' is the verdict, although the poor unreason- 

 ing brute was merely practising his rehearsed "horse-play." 

 Gentle handling and encouraging words, with a firm and 

 unhesitating approach, will soon render such a horse quiet 

 and steady. 



Kicking is too often caused by the teasing, tickling, or 

 pinching above noticed. The habit becomes confirmed, and 

 the ill-taught animal is voted incurable. 



An inveterate kicker is to be very carefully approached 

 by all parties, and sometimes requires even more than 

 ordinary caution, in which case a chain is run through a 

 pulley in the stall-post, and from that to his head-stall, so 

 that by pulling it his head may be drawn round towards 

 the post, and by the same action his heels drawn from it, 

 so as to allow the groom to go to his head, when he is safe 

 from the heels. Most good grooms, however, are able to 

 take care of themselves, and by constant practice they learn 

 to keep the proper distance, either near enough to make 

 the kick a mere push, or far enough to be out of reach. 



Kicking the Stall-post is injurious both to the kicker and 

 his next neighbour, who may come in, under a bail, for the 

 knock intended for the post. We have known horses do 

 this for hours together in mere idle play. Hard work 

 cures it, and if that does not, or is not available, a branch 



