40 Domestic ANIMALS. 
But if biting can not be cured it may almost always be pre- 
vented, and every proprietor of horses, while he insists upon 
gentle and humane treatment of his animals, should strictly 
forbid this horse-play. 
4, Kicking.—This, as @ vice, is another consequence of the 
culpable habit of grooms and stable-boys of teasing the horse. 
That which is at first an indication of annoyance at the pinch- 
ing and tickling of the groom, and without any design to injure, 
gradually becomes the expression of anger, and the effort to do 
mischief. The horse, likewise, too soon recognizes the least 
appearance of timidity, and takes advantage of tie discovery. 
There is no cure for this vice after it has become a confirmed 
habit, and he can not be justified who keeps a kicking horse 
in his stable. Before the habit is inveterately established, a 
thorn-bush or a piece of furze fastened against the partition or 
post will sometimes effect a cure. When the horse finds that 
he is pretty severely pricked he will not long continue to 
punish himself. 
5. Rearing.—This sometimes results from playfulness, car- 
ried, indeed, to an unpleasant and dangerous extent; but it is 
oftener a desperate and occasionally successful effort to unhorse 
the rider, and consequently a vice. The horse that has twice 
decidedly and dangerously reared should never be trusted 
again, unless, indeed, it was the fault of the rider, who had 
been using a deep curb and asharp bit. Some of the best 
horses will contend against these, and then rearing may be 
immediately and permanently. cured by using a snafile bridle 
alone. 
6. Running Away.—There is no certainty of cure for this 
vice. The only method which affords any probability of suc- 
cess is, to ride or drive such a horse with a strong curb and 
sharp bit; to have him always firmly in hand; and if he will 
run away and the place will admit of it, to give him (sparing 
neither curb nor whip) a great deal more running than he likes, 
7. Overreaching.—This unpleasant noise, known also by the 
term “clicking,” arises from the toe of the hind-foot knocking 
