The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-12-01
Tricks and Faults Of Horses,

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The severity with which a horse has
been punished for fault is, usually, the
measure of the violence with which he
will repeat it. 1t is this violence that
makes the horse so dangerous in his re-
bellion, for until he loses his reason he
will take care not to injure himself, and
so in a measure protects his rider. Few
young horses are dangerous in their re-
sistance until they have met with cruel
treatment. 1t is seldom that a colt in
breaking will bolt with his rider; it is
usually the old offender who is guilty OF
this most dangerous of vices. Although
nearly every young horse win rear at
the pressure of the bit, he will seldom
rise to dangerous height, and he soon
ceases to offend in that way. A horse
must be corrected and put right, but it
is never necessary to resort to severe
punishments. Fortunately the horse is
an animal of one idea, and when he has
determined upon his line of opposition
he is easily circumvented and humbled.
II he refuses to turn to the right he will
be so intent on opposing the right rein
that he may be turffed around to the
left until he is confused, when he will
very gladly go in any direction. If he
declines to go forward he is not pre-
pared to resist q demand for back.
ward movement, and he will soon tire OF
that unusual mode and start forward at
the first hint from his rider. But horse
properly broken and trained will not be
guilty Of such contumacy, and will not
be apt to show the vices of which am
about to speak, but for which the rider
must be prepared.
If horse bolts the rider should not
fatigue himself by taking steady drag
upon the mouth. Leaning back, with
the breech well under him, and bearing
no weight in the stirrups, the rider
should take succession of pulls upon
the bit, one following the other suffi-
ciently near to obtain cumulative effect.
When the horse appears to yield to the
bit advantage should be taken of the
moment to prevent his again extending
himself by increased exertions ON the
part of the rider, whose power should
be reserved as far as possible to seize
this opportunity. know of no way to
prevent horse boiling. BY keeping
his head up with the snaffle rein the rider
will have greater command of the horse,
but the use of severe bits will not deter
a confirmed bolter from indulging his
vicious propensity.
II q horse rears the reins should be
loosened, and if the rider requires sup
port he should seize the name, without.
however, letting the reins drop from his
hands. The spurs should not be ap-
piled while the horse is rising, but as he
comes down the legs of the rider should
be closed to induce the horse to 60 for
ward. If the horse refuses to go for
ward, the rider will find the side of the
pared to resist by drawing the reins
from right to left, and holding the rein
of that side low he will pull the horse
around, aiding the hand by the applica-
ton of the spur on that side. If when
the horse rears he sinks upon his hind
quarters, the rider should endeavor to
leave the horse by seizing the name and
throwing himself aside, and although he
may not be able to clear himself of the
horse, he will at least avoid coming
down under the saddle.
If horse is shy at passing an object
he can generally be made to proceed by
turning his head away, and passing him
along with the leg opposite to the object,
as in trayersing. If he is young horse,
and does not seem to have known fear,
he will usually face that which has
caused his alarm If he is allowed to take
as much room as the way offers. The
rider should avoid as much as possible
taking notice of the horses fright, as
any nervousness on the part of the rider
will confirm the horse in the opinion
that there is danger. If a horse takes
alarm on the road at things with which
he is familiar, it is either through de-
fective eye-sight or because he has found
out that he can take liberties with his
rider. A man of discretion will know
when horse should be whipped up to
an object of which there is pretense
of fear, but the horse must never be
struck after he has passed on.
do not like horse that has low &C
ton, for he must trip, and he is likely
sooner or later, to come down. A horse
stumbles when, through weakness
weariness or stiffness from age and
work, he is not able to recover him
self from trip. He usually BEARS tn
evidence of his accident on his knees.
A horse that stumbles from weakness
is not fit for saddle use. If the rider i,
unfortunate enough to find him 'el1
mounted upon horse that gives indi
cations of being insecure upon his feet
he should demand free and lively actor
with rein and legs. The horse should
not be allowed to become indolent, nO'
be permitted to hang upon the bit. Or
descending hill the horse mnst have
liberty of ac ton, for if he steps too shor
he is liable to come down, and a horse
that is checked has not suffio ,ent free
dom for his safety. 1t is after a lone
days work that a weary horse may fol
the first time stumble, and it is mis-
taken idea of kindness that induces /;
rider to let a horse take his head upOl
such an occasion. The horse misses the
encouragement of the rein and the sup
port of the leg, and is invited to fall
Beside, it is much more fatiguing fo
him to bear his burden deprived of hi
usual aids and in dropping spirits. Fin
ally, in case of a fall, either of a STUN
bling horse or under any other circum
stances, the rider should hold on to tn,
rein until he isassured that his feet ar
free of the stirrups - Hoo
| TO Ride and School O. Horse"
Dress Trimmings.