4 VICE IN THE HORSE. 



that are high and strong in the fore-hand are more 

 apt to rear or grow restive than horses which are 

 high and strong in the hind-quarters. The latter 

 will usually resist control by bolting or by kicking. 

 The reasons for these kinds of misconduct is that 

 in the horses first described the weights and forces 

 of the fore-hand are thrown back, and that part is 

 made lighter ; while, in the case of horses with high 

 and strong hind-quarters, the weights and forces 

 are thrown forward, and the fore-hand is hampered 

 while the croup is lightened. The disposition of 

 the horse will usually be influenced by its con- 

 formation, certainly its resistance will in most cases 

 be governed by its conformation. 



A well-balanced horse, that can obey the demands 

 of its rider with more ease and comfort than an 

 ill-formed one, is less likely to show vice, and 

 generally has a better temper than the horse that 

 is ill-balanced. The first duty of the trainer, then, 

 should be to direct his work with reference to the 

 conformation of the animal he has in hand, and, by 

 changing the carriage of the horse, to correct in 

 effect its faults of form, so that it may not find 

 difficulty in obeying the hand and heel of its rider. 



Whatever may be the form of a horse, it must be 

 suppled in the neck and jaw so that it will answer 

 to the bit at the lightest pressure upon the bars of 



