The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-01-05
Tricks and Fa1lts of Horses.

Hb S0NeTtNV Will WHICH q morse mas
! 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-
sist4nce until they have met with cruel
treatment. 1t is seld lm 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 will 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.
If he refuses to turn to the right he will
be so intent on opposing the right rein
that he may be turned around to the
left until he is confus used, when he will
very gladly go in any direction. If he
| declines to go forward he is not pre-
pared to resist a 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, bat for which the rider
must be prepared.
If a horse bolts the rider should not
l 60 - !, ral- H.
| upon the mouth. Leaning back, with
the breech we'll under him, and bearing
no weight in the stirrups, the rider
should take succession of pulls upon
the bit, one following the other snff-
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 t.
| 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 viii not deter
confirmed bolter from indulging his
vicious propensity.
II
loosened. and if the rider requires sup
port he should seize the name, without,
| however, letting the reins drop from mis-
hands The spurs should not be ao-
piled while the horse is rising, but as he
comes down the legs of the rider should
be closed to induce the horse to go for
ward. If the horse refuses to go for
ward, the rider will find the side of the
4 -.th ~ sob ho 10
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. Ii when
the horse rears he sinks upon his hind
quarters. the rider should endaavor 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 traversing. If he is young horse,
and does not seem to have known fear,
he will usually face that which has
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
tn 1t 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 a horse should be whipped up to
an object of which there is a preten5e
Of fear, but the horse must never be
struck after he has passed on.
do not like horse that has low ac
ton, for he must trip. and he is likely.
| sooner or later. TO come down. A horse
stumDles when. through weakness.
weariness or stiffness from age and
| work. he is not able to r.cnver him
self from a trip. He Usually ears thu
| evidence of his accident on his knees
A horse that St,'niles from weakness
| is not fit for saddle u,e. If ,be rider is
| unfortunate enough to find him elf
m united upon horse thai gives indi-
| cations of being insecure uoon his feet,
he should dem md free and lively action
with rein and legs. The horse should
not be allowed to become iudolent, nor
be permitted to hang upon the bit. Ga
descending hill the horse must have
liberty of ac ion. for if he step too short
he is liable to come down, aud a horse
| thar is checked has u.t sufficient free
dom for his safety. L. is al er long
days wort; that a weary horse may fnr
The first time stumble, and it is a mis-
taken idea of kindness thar induces a
rider to let horse take his head upon
such an occasion. The horse misses the
encou- cement of the rein and the sup
port of the leg, and is invited to fail
Beside, it is much more satigning for
| MIN to bear his burden deprived OF his
usual aid, and in dropping spi its. Fin
ally, in case of a fall, either OF a stunt
bl ny horse or under ary other ci. cum
stances. the rider b uid hold on to the
rein until he is assured that his feat are
free of the stirrnps. .-4nlers0n's "U0W
tc Ride and School q Horse.'