CAEE AND MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 795 



blinkers so arranged as to be capable of closely covering 

 over both eyes, which with most animals would certainly 

 suffice to control the vice. 



Jibbing is a vice which in the first instance probably 

 began through ignorance of what was required, and this 

 being followed by punishment was resented. It never 

 occurs excepting in an animal which is strong-minded, and 

 has some ideas of his own on the question of labour. In 

 all cases the horse recognises that he can be as firm as the 

 man. He has begun to learn something of his own 

 muscular and moral strength, against which that of a 

 man is powerless. 



If a horse makes up his mind not to work there is no 

 force we know of which can make him. It is usual to 

 regard ' jibbers ' as stubborn, which no doubt they are, but 

 we look upon it as a very high and extremely aggravating 

 form of equine intelligence; while the horse that works 

 until he drops, and exercises two horse-power when one 

 quarter would suffice, shows the lowest degree of intelli- 

 gence. 



A ' jibber ' in the very early stage may be cured by 

 kindness and coaxing, but a confirmed jibber is incurable. 

 A man with the best of tempers and extraordinary patience 

 is required to overcome jibbing; encouragement is needed, 

 never punishment, but as a rule it is a rather hopeless 

 task. We have been told by Major Bostock, late A.V.D., 

 that rocking the horse by catching hold of the shafts on 

 either side will cure jibbing. The horse is simply rocked 

 from side to side by each man pulling and pushing alter- 

 nately, and after a time the animal gets so tired of the 

 motion that he starts off of his own free will. 



It is very important in order to prevent jibbing becoming 

 confirmed, that any sore points on the shoulder or else- 

 where from the harness should be attended to, and the 

 parts thoroughly healed and free from tenderness before 

 the horse is again tried. 



Shying.— Shying may be a vice or due to a physical 

 defect in vision. Though shying has been termed a vice, 



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