GIBBING. 371 



habit of backing at first starting, and that more from playfulness 

 than desire of mischief. A moderate application of the whip 

 will usually be effectual. Others, even after starting, exhibit 

 considerable obstinacy and viciousness. This is frequently the 

 efi'ect of bad breaking. Either the shoulder of the horse had 

 been wrung when he was first put to the collar, or he had been 

 foolishly accustomed to be started in the break up-hill, and, 

 therefore, all his work coming upon him at once, he gradually 

 acquired this dangerous habit. 



A hasty and passionate breaker will often make a really good- 

 tempered young horse an inveterate gibber. Every young horse 

 is. at first shy of the collar. If he is too quickly forced to throw 

 his weight into it, he vnH possibly take a dislilie to it, that will 

 occasionally show itself in the form of gibbing as long as he 

 lives. The judicious horse-breaker will resort to no severity, 

 even if the colt should go out several times without even touch- 

 ing coUar. The example of his companion will ultimately induce 

 him to take it voluntarily and effectually. 



A large and heavy stone should be put behind the wheel be- 

 fore starting, when the horse, finding it more diificult to back 

 than to go forward, will gradually forget this unpleasant trick 

 It will likewise be of advantage as often as it can be managed, 

 so to start that the horse shall have to back up-hill. The diffi 

 culty of accomplishing this will soon make him readily go for- 

 ward. A little coaxing, or leading, or moderate flagellation, will 

 assist in. accomplishing the cure. 



When, however, a horse, thinking he has had enough of work, 

 or has been improperly checked or corrected, or begimiing to feel 

 the painful pressure of the collar, swerves, and gibs, and backs, 

 it is a more serious matter. Persuasion should first be tried ; and, 

 afterwards, reasonable coercion, but no cruelty : for the brutality 

 which is often exercised to compel a gibbing horse to throw him- 

 self habitually into the collar, never yet accomplished the purpose. 

 The horse, may, perhaps, be whipped into motion ; but if he 

 has once begun to gib, he wUl have recourse to it again whenever 

 any circumstance displeases or annoys him, and the habit will be 

 so rapidly and completely formed, that he will become insensible 

 to all severity. 



Sometimes a horse not often accustomed to gib, betrays a relu 

 tance to move, or a determination not to move. Before resorting, 

 to severity, the cause, if practicable, should be ascertained. The 

 horse may be overtaxed, his withers may be ^-vrung, or he may 

 be insupportably galled or pauied by the harness. These things 

 should be examined into, and, if possible, rectified ; for, undei 

 such circumstances, cruelty may produ e obstinacy and vife, but 

 not willinsr obediencr 



