BITING AND STRIKING. 103 



class of stallions very quickly, no matter how gentle previ- 

 ously ; and, once started, they are most fearful. In approach- 

 ing afterwards, speak sharply " get round," or any signal that 

 will attract attention. Let the left hand be put on the shoul- 

 der (near side) , glide it up the neck to the head, then down 

 to the nose-piece of the halter. If there is an attempt to 

 bite now, the hand is carried up before the head and held 

 out of reach, while you can keep the head from you with 

 greatest ease. 



An old horse subject to this habit must be watched closely. 

 So long as there is disposition to bite, the horse must not be 

 regarded safe. Carelessness and timidity, especially if sub- 

 jected to harsh treatment, may be regarded as "the primary 

 cause. I have known horses to become inveterate biters by 

 being whipped once or twice. 



A gentleman informed me lately that a horse he formerly 

 owned became terribly vicious by being struck once with a 

 whip in the stall. He was, up to that time, as gentle as any 

 horse could be. Mr. Roberts's horse, a notice of which I 

 give from the " Utica Herald," had been of a very docile 

 character. A rough, drunken groom, who was employed to 

 take care of him, by irritating and abusing the horse got 

 him vicious. Mr. Roberts now took him in hand. One day, 

 while in harness, the horse acted a little stubborn and vicious. 

 Mr. Roberts struck him with the whip, when instantly the 

 horse struck and bit him, knocking him senseless under his 

 feet, and would have killed him if not driven off by two 

 men, who happened at the time to be close by. He had run in 

 his stall seven months, and would jump at any one with the 

 ferocity of a desperate dog. As was stated, I took him in 

 hand and made him gentle in less than twenty minutes, and 

 he remained of a good character aftenvards. If the horse 

 is young and thoroughly treated, there will be but little 

 trouble in reforming him. If old and bad, there is no hope 

 of success, unless very carefully handled. If the horse is 

 dangerous and bad, subject him to first, second, or third 

 treatment. Either may do ; but unless you are thorough, and 

 make complete success, your effort will be likely to prove a 

 failure. The main point is to work quick and thorough, 

 making your point. If a stallion, you must always be on 

 your guard. Appeal to the better nature, and win his confi- 



