BACKING, OR GIBBING. 
373 
animal draw a little. He feels the weight of the break, and 
then by halting and pulling him backwards the weight is 
removed, and the animal finds it much easier to back down 
hill than to pull; and hence a habit of backing is acquired, 
which is both troublesome and dangerous. 
With horses which have this habit at starting, the best 
method to break them of it is to place a large heavy stone 
behind the wheel; and the horse, feeling he is unable to 
back, will generally proceed forward, finding it more easy 
to do so ; and by carefully continuing this practice, the 
horse will gradually be broken of the bad habit. Another 
plan, nearly as good, is to start the horse, if it can possibly 
be managed, with the back of the machine placed towards a 
rising ground ; and as it is more difficult at all times to 
force it backward than forward, besides the hill being 
against him, he will prefer going forward to backward. 
Sometimes it will be necessary to lead the horse for a short 
distance, and when the groom has quitted the reins, a gentle 
touch with the whip will make him proceed. If, however, 
he is determinedly obstinate, there will be little chance of 
succeeding by forcible means ; and if the driver is resolved 
to use compulsion, we would recommend that it should not 
be attempted unless there is a wide space, where by tight 
reining the driver may back him in the particular direction 
which he wishes, and it would be very desirable to do so 
up-hill if the ground inclines in the neighbourhood. But 
still there is considerable danger in the attempt. 
Gibbing and backing are frequently produced by the pain 
inflicted on a horse where the collar is tight or does not fit. 
Some horses have also a great dislike to a cold collar, and 
when this is the case, it ought to be lined with cloth instead 
of leather, or a false collar or strip of cloth may be worn 
round the shoulders. Many horses, not otherwise gibbers, 
