CHAPTER XXXVIII 

 WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 



There are very few horses to be found in any vicinity 

 but that have some faults which detract from their use- 

 fulness. These faults vary widely in their effect upon 

 the horse; some are scarcely noticeable and affect the 

 horse but little, while others are very serious and not 

 only render the animal useless, but often make him posi- 

 tively dangerous. These bad habits may be divided into 

 two general classes according to their seriousness : Vice 

 and whims; the former comprising the more important 

 moral defects, such as balking, kicking, running away, 

 and the like, and the latter imperfections of less im- 

 portance, such as tongue lolling, tearing blankets, gorging 

 grain and the like. 



Causes of whims and vices. — The chief cause of all bad 

 habits of the horse is poor management at some stage of 

 bis career. Such habits may have been formed when the 

 colt was small .and when he is only too often made to do 

 things that seem "cute." In later life these very things 

 may serve to lessen his usefulness. They may have been 

 formed while the horse was in training. Often the 

 horse's mouth is spoiled by the use of a severe bridle-bit 

 or an improperly fitting one. Often his shoulders, back 

 and tail are made exceedingly sensitive to pressure by im- 

 properly fitting harness. 



Many a young horse has been spoiled the first day he 

 spent in the stable by the treatment he received. Many 

 persons think a green horse should stand much the same 

 as a work horse. Thus, if he appears indifferent and fails to 

 stand over when commanded, or if he will not permit his sen- 

 sitive abdomen and legs to be curried, or if he objects to hav- 

 ing heavy harness with flopping bands thrown over his back, 

 he is punished with the first thing the excited attendant 



