070 
ON THE HABITS AND VICES OF HORSES. 
tricks than others; partly from the pampered life they generally 
lead; but, with reference to this particular vice, principally, f 
think, from the long intervals of rest they often nave, during 
which they are, perhaps, but seldom used to the saddle. I think 
the more horses are accustomed to the saddle the better: and I am 
persuaded it is a good practice, where it can be put in execution 
without much inconvenience, to let the troops always ride out to 
water, or to exercise in stripped saddles instead of blankets. 
And this for two reasons: First, because the horses will not be 
half so liable to sore backs when they come to march; and, 
secondly, because it will tend more than any thing else that I 
am acquainted with, to prevent this very troublesome and ugly 
habit of kickmg at the crupper , wdiicn often renders an animal 
not only useless as a military horse, but even dangerous. Many 
have been cast from the regiments of cavalry for this vice alone. 
Here, indeed, you “ may prevent, but cannot cure.” 
Some people are fond of teaching* their horses tricks. I have 
seen young men, especially military ones, be at some pains to 
make their horses kick up, either for fun or effect, whilst they 
are riding them; and this is easily enough effected, by putting 
the hand back, and pressing or tickling the animal over the top 
of the croup. Most horses will be ready enough to learn this 
trick; not so to leave it off* again. I have often seen these young 
gentlemen both annoyed and punished for their folly, by their 
horses kicking, sometimes not in the most graceful manner, half 
the time they are going through a field day. For the worst of it 
is, that, when the animal has once got into the way of it, he will 
be shew ing this pretty little accomplishment on all occasions. 
I shall speak of restiveness generally . Of plunging, rearing, 
kicking, bolting, and running against the side of a wall or house 
w r ith a rider, collectively. Ihese vicious habits, their causes and 
remedies, are, perhaps, more properly w ithin the province of the 
riding master than the veterinary surgeon. 1 may however ob¬ 
serve, that although for the most part they may "be said to ori¬ 
ginate in some mismanagement, yet they almost always indicate 
either a sulky or a violent temperament: in other words, they 
seem to be varied and modified according to the natural temper 
and disposition of the animal. There is as much difference in the 
disposition of horses, as of men. And perhaps there is nothing 
that more constantly descends in the stock than temper. The 
more experience we have of these animals, and the more closely 
w r e observe particular breeds, or families of horses, the more 
shall we be convinced of this fact. It is unnecessary to go into 
proof corroborative of my assertion ; every experienced horseman 
will be ready to subscribe to the truth of this remark. But what 
