40 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



But if biting can not be cured it may almost always be pre- 

 vented, and every proprietor of horses, while he insists upon 

 gentle and humane treatment of his animals, should strictly 

 forbid this horse-play. 



4. Kicking. This, as a vice, is another consequence of the 

 culpable habit of grooms and stable-boys of teasing the horse. 

 That which is at first an indication of annoyance at the pinch- 

 ing and tickling of the groom, and without any design to injure, 

 gradually becomes the expression of anger, and the effort to do 

 mischief. The horse, likewise, too soon recognizes the least 

 appearance of timidity, and takes advantage of the discovery. 

 There is no cure for this vice after it has become a confirmed 

 habit, and he can not be justified who keeps a kicking horse 

 in his stable. Before the habit is inveterately established, a 

 thorn-bush or a piece of furze fastened against the partition or 

 post will sometimes effect a cure. When the horse finds that 

 he is pretty severely pricked he will not long continue to 

 punish himself. 



5. Rearing. This sometimes results from playfulness, car- 

 ried, indeed, to an unpleasant and dangerous extent ; but it is 

 oftener a desperate and occasionally successful effort to unhorse 

 the rider, and consequently a vice. The horse that has twice 

 decidedly and dangerously reared should never be trusted 

 again, unless, indeed, it was the fault of the rider, who had 

 been using a deep curb and a sharp bit. Some of the best 

 horses will contend against these, and then rearing may be 

 immediately and permanently, cured by using a snaffle bridle 

 alone. 



6. Running Away. There is no certainty of cure for this 

 vice. The only method which affords any probability of suc- 

 cess is, to ride or drive such a horse with a strong curb and 

 sharp bit; to have him always firmly in hand; and if he will 

 run away and the place will admit of it, to give him (sparing 

 neither curb nor whip) a great deal more running than he likes. 



7. Overreaching. This unpleasant noise, known also by the 

 term "clicking," arises from the toe of the hind-foot knocking 



