BREAKING-IN. 225 



as to teach him every pace, and every part of his duty, distinctly an-l 

 thoroughly. Each must constitute a separate and sometimes long-continued 

 lesson, and that taught by a man who will never suffer his passion to ge. 

 the better of his discretion. 



After the cavesson has been attached to the headstall, and the long rein 

 put on, the first lesson is, to be quietly led about by the breaker, a steady 

 boy following behind, by occasional threatening with the whip, but never by 

 an actual blow, to keep the colt up. When the animal follows readily and 

 quietly, he may be taken to the ring, and walked round, right and left, in 

 a very small circle. Care should be taken to teach him this pace thoroughly, 

 never suffering him to break into a trot. The boy with his whip may here 

 again be necessary, but not a single blow should actually fall. 



Becoming tolerably perfect in the walk, he should be quickened to a trot, 

 and kept steadily at it; the whip of the boy, if needful, urging him on, 

 and the cavesson restraining him. These lessons should be short. The 

 pace should be kept perfect and distinct in each ; and docility and improve- 

 ment rewarded with frequent caresses, and handfuls of corn. The length 

 of the rein may now be gradually increased, and the pace quickened, and 

 the time extended, until the animal becomes tractable in this his first lessons, 

 towards the conclusions of which, crupper-straps, or something similar, may 

 be attached to the clothing. These, playing about the sides and flanks, 

 accustom him to the flapping of the coat of the rider. The annoyance 

 which they occasion will pass over in a day or two; for when the animal 

 finds that no harm comes to him on account of these straps, he will cease 

 to regard them. 



Next comes the bitting. The bit shoaid be large and smooth, and the 

 reins should be buckled to a ring on either side of the pad. There are 

 many curious and expensive machines for this purpose, but the simple rein 

 will be quite sufficient. The reins should at first be slack, and very 

 gradually tightened. This will prepare for the more perfect manner in 

 which the head will be afterwards got into a proper position, when the colt 

 is accustomed to the saddle. Occasionally the breaker should stand in front 

 of the colt, and take hold of each side-rein near the mouth, and press upon 

 it, and thus begin to teach him to stop and to back at the pressure of the 

 rein, rewarding every act of docility, and not being too eager to punish 

 occasional carelessness or waywardness. 



The colt may now be taken into the road or street to be gradually accus- 

 tomed to objects among which his services will be required. Here, from 

 fear or playfulness, a considerable degree of starting and shying may be 

 exhibited. As little notice as possible should be taken of it. The same or 

 similar objects should be soon passed again, but at a greater distance. If 

 the colt still shies, let the distance be farther increased, until he takes no 

 notice of the object ; then he may gradually be brought nearer to it, and 

 'ihis will be usually effected without the slightest difficulty ; whereas, had 

 there been an attempt to force the animal close to it in the first instance, the 

 remembrance of the contest would have been associated with the object, and 

 *he habit of shying would have been established. 



Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have been shown, 

 but will scarcely have been used; the colt must now, however, be 

 accustomed to this necessary instrument of authority. Let the breaker 

 •walk by the side of the animal, and throw his right arm over his back, 

 holding the reins in his left; and occasionally quicken his pace, and, at the 

 jpoment of doing this, tap the horse with the whip in his right hand, and at 

 fiist very gently. The tap of the whip and the quickening of the pace will 

 Eoon become associated together in the mind of the animal. If necessary. 



