There are horses who delight in biting. Some are so much addicted to it that it is not possible to enter their stall without obtaining substantial evidence 01 their prowess in this respect. An experienced biter gives no warning. He knows the extent of his reach, and abstains from all demonstration of hostility until the man comes up to the proper place; then, quick as lightning, he darts at the intruder, and generally succeeds in tearing off some part of his clothing. Many are content with this triumph, and crouch into a corner of the stall, trembling, and expecting the accustomed punishment. Others, however, are not so easily satisfied. A single snatch is not sufficient. A ferocious horse makes repeated efforts to seize the man, and he is not content with a tug at the clothes, even when he can carry off half a yard of fustian. He takes a deeper and firmer hold; he will struggle to seize his enemy; he will shake him, lift him off the ground, and perhaps throw him down, and then attack him with the forefeet, striking and trampling upon him.

There are several instances of men having been killed in this way, generally by stallions.

I have seen biters punished till they trembled in every joint, and were ready to drop; but have never, in any case, known them cured by this treatment, nor by any other. The lash is forgotten in an hour, and the horse is as ready and determined to repeat the offence as before. He appears unable to resist the temptation. In its worst forms biting is a kind of insanity. There are various degrees of the complaint. Constant and laborious work often converts a ferocious into a very tame biter. So far as I know, there are no means of effecting a complete cure; but, by careful management, mischief may be prevented, even in the worst cases. When not very resolute, the horse may be overawed by a bold groom. He may warn the horse by speaking to him; and he may enter the stall with a rod, held in view of the horse, and ready to fall should he attempt to bite. After getting hold of the head, the man is safe. He may then apply a muzzle, or tie the horse's head to the hay-rack, if there be anything to do about him, such as dressing or harnessing. When grain or water is to be delivered, muzzling or tying up is not necessary. The man has only to be upon his guard till he get hold of the head, and retain his hold till he get clear of the horse.

That he can easily manage by pushing the horse back till he can clear the stall, by one step, after he lets go the head.

When the rod is not sufficient to intimidate the horse, a long rope must be fastened to his halter. This must run through k ring in the head of the stall, or in the head-post on the left side, and proceed backward to the heel-post, where it is secured. This enables the man to draw he head close up to the ring, and to keep it there, ail grain or water is delivered, till the horse can be bridled, muzzled, harnessed, or dressed. Of course the head is to be released, after the man leaves the stall; but the rope remains in place, attached to the halter, and ready for use.

Fig. 15. Stall For a Biter.

A muzzle alone is often sufficient to deter some horses from biting; or attempting to bite. These do not require to be tied up when under stable operations. But some, though muzzled, will strike a man to the ground; for these there is no remedy but tying up.