THE HOKSE. 39 



kicking or rearing, plunging or bolting, or in any way that 

 threatens danger to the rider or the horse, it rarely admits of 

 cure. A determined rider may, to a certain extent, subjugate 

 the animal ; or the horse may have his favorites, or form his 

 attachments, and with some particular person he may be com- 

 paratively or perfectly manageable ; but others can not long 

 depend upon him, and even his master is not always sure of 

 him. 



2. Backing or Balking. Some horses have the habit of 

 backing at first starting, and that more from playfulness than 

 desire of mischief. A moderate application of the whip will 

 usually be effectual. Others, even after starting, exhibit con- 

 siderable obstinacy and viciousness. This is frequently the 

 effect of bad breaking. 



A large and heavy stone should be put behind the wheel be- 

 fore starting, when the horse, finding it more difficult to back 

 than to go forward, will gradually forget this unpleasant trick. 

 It will likewise be of advantage as often as it can be managed, 

 so to start that the horse shall have to back up-hill. The dif- 

 ficulty of accomplishing this will soon make him readily go 

 forward. A little coaxing or leading will assist in accomplish- 

 ing the cure. 



3. Biting. This is perhaps sometimes the consequence of 

 natural ferocity, but is more frequently acquired from the fool- 

 ish teasing play of hostlers and stable-boys. At first his biting 

 is half playful and half in earnest, but finally becomes habitual 

 and degenerates into absolute viciousness. It is seldom that 

 anything can be done in the way of cure. Kindness will aggra- 

 vate the evil and no degree of severity will correct it. "I have 

 seen," Professor Stuart says, "biters punished until they trem- 

 bled in every joint and were ready to drop, but have never in 

 any case known them cured by this treatment or by any other. 

 The lash is forgotten in an hour, and the horse is as ready and 

 determined to repeat the offense as before. He appears unable 

 to resist the temptation, and in its worst form biting is a spe- 

 cies of insanity." 



