VICE IN THE HORSE. 9 



for the first three or four times they are mounted. 

 If at this time the animal is not carefully ridden 

 plunging may become a vice. When a horse 

 plunges it must be driven forward in any pace or 

 action that it will take, the rider giving it a loose 

 rein, but taking care that it does not get its head 

 down, for the horse will then stop in spite of all the 

 man can do, and probably unseat him. I mean by 

 giving the horse a loose rein, that it should not feel 

 the restraint of the bit, but if the animal lowers its 

 head, the rider should give one or two sharp pulls 

 upward to elevate it. When the horse goes for- 

 ward for a few strides, the rider should take a light 

 tension upon the reins, and gently regulate the 

 pace and the direction. Many horses will plunge if 

 mounted immediately after being saddled, and it is 

 a good rule to have all horses saddled at least half 

 an hour before they are used. In winter the bit 

 should be warmed before being put on the horse, 

 and it would be an excellent plan to have all bits 

 covered with hard rubber or some other non-con- 

 ductor of cold. If a horse kick, its head should 

 be elevated by short, sharp pulls upon the rein, 

 from below upward, and the animal driven forward, 

 the rider correcting the fault by speaking harshly. 

 Whip blows will almost invariably confirm the horse 

 in the vice, and will teach the animal to cringe and 



