BITING — SEIZING THE CHEEK OF THE BIT 349 



limbs, and prevents the horse from raising them to 

 kick. But even this is no security, as by violent 

 efforts on the part of the animal the strap may break, 

 and no one can tell what may be the consequence. 

 I had a particularly handsome and powerful mare 

 which possessed this vice, and although I adopted 

 every means to break her off it, I found it impossible. 

 I sold her, and the person who bought her was sure 

 he could effect a cure ; but he was mistaken, and he 

 parted with her. Her fine form soon found a ready 

 purchaser, and in six months she was in the hands 

 of eight different persons. Never trust a kicker. 



BITING. 



This trick often proceeds from play, and is taught 

 by the folly of grooms or stable-boys teasing the 

 animals. But what they have thus acquired as sport, 

 becomes a fixed habit ; and when thwarted in any 

 manner, they will sometimes bite with great severity. 

 Like other vices, this is difficult of cure, and it is but 

 seldom they can be really broken off it. Teasing a 

 horse should be strictly forbidden, and the groom or 

 stable-boy severely punished when detected in the 

 act. Biting, like other vices, should never be taught 

 the animal, as it is easier to avoid it than to effect a 

 cure. Gentle treatment is the best suited for all our 

 domestic animals, and the surest way to command 

 their affections. Bad-tempered and tricky grooms 

 ought to be scouted by every one ; and any master 

 giving such a person a character, is highly culpable, 

 and ought to be held up to public scorn. 



SEIZING THE CHEEK OF THE BIT. 



Some horses are so cunning as to get the cheek 

 of the bit into their mouth, which gives them a great 



