OUT-DOOR VICES. 245 



the slightest pull opens it, presses the prickers into the nose and 

 gives acute pain. Whenever the rider finds a horse inclined to 

 rise, he should at once lean forward, and after ineffectually trying 

 the martingale to keep the horse down, he must loose his head, 

 or he will be almost sure to bring him backwards and cause a 

 severe fall. 



For kickers, except when the habit is merely a mode of letting 

 off superfluous spirits, severity is the only remedy, and a strong- 

 application of the whip down the shoulder the best means of using 

 it. At the same time the snaffle-reins ought to be firmly held, and 

 by their means the head kept up, for there is always a tendency 

 to lower this part in the act of kicking ; the gag snaffle is very 

 effectual for this purpose. 



Lying down is rare in the present day, being chiefly confined 

 to under-bred horses and Welsh ponies, which are gradually going 

 out of use. The spur is the only means likely to keep a stubborn 

 brute up; but in some cases its application is followed by the ani- 

 mal throwing himself down suddenly, instead of gradually. 



Plunging may be described as a series of bounds into the air, 

 which when they are made up and down in the same place, or 

 nearly so, are called "bucking," from their resemblance to the 

 playful antics of the deer. A bucking horse is very difficult to sit, 

 but by sawing the mouth with a twisted sifaffle it may generally 

 be stopped at once. 



By shouldering is understood the attempt to crush the leg of 

 the rider against a wall, which some ill-tempered horses are fond 

 of doing. It is easily avoided by pulling the horse's head round 

 to the wall, instead of from it. 



Running away is too well known to need description. In 

 some horses it is a species of temporary madness, and scarcely any 

 bit, however severe, will stop them. When there is room and 

 scope enough, the remedy is simple, but, unfortunately, runaway 

 horses generally choose a crowded thoroughfare to indulge their 

 fancies in. A gallop to a stand-still, with the free use of the spur 

 or whip at the latter part of it, will sometimes prevent a recurrence 

 of this vicious act; but where the tendency is very strong it will 

 have little effect. Punishing bits only make some high-couraged 

 horses worse, but the majority of runaways would be dangerous 

 with a plain snaffle only, and yet there are some which will go 

 quietly enough in it, while the adoption of a curb will rouse their 

 tempers at once. Of course they can only be ridden with great 

 care and judgment, and must never be roused unnecessarily. For- 

 tunately the mouths of horses are now made so much more care- 

 fully than in former times, and their management is so much better 

 understood, that we seldom hear of or see an accident from this 

 cause, either in the saddle or in harness. The most essential part 

 21* 



