206 THE HORSE 



colt held for him while he very slowly and quietly insinuates his hand, with 

 the head of the halter in it, over the neck, just behind the ears. With a 

 little dexterity, this is soon done, and then the nose-band being slipped into 

 its place, a good hold can be secured. Every horseman must, however, 

 agree with Mr. Rarey, that the rope halter with a running noose is most 

 improper, and that a leathern head-stall should always be chosen. It is quite 

 true, that a single turn of the cord of the halter into a half -hitch prevents 

 all mischief, and this is done by good breakers ; but the head-stall or cavesson 

 should be put on as soon as possible, and the former may be worn constantly 

 till the breaking is complete, but it is advisable to frequently examine the 

 skin and see that no sores are established. When shod behind it is not a 

 very safe plan to leave a head-stall on permanently, as in scratching the head 

 with the hind-foot the latter has been known to hang up and result in a 

 fatal accident. With the leading-rein attached to the nose-band, the breaker 

 can now restrain the colt from getting away ; and, by kind words and gentle 

 treatment, the young animal soon becomes accustomed to his presence, and 

 will allow him to approach and handle him all over. When this is borne 

 easily, he may be led out about the fields, and green lanes if there are any ; 

 but while he continues to resent the approach of moving objects by violent 

 bounds, nothing shoidd be put in his mouth out-of-doors. If he is very wild 

 and ungovernable, he may be made to trot gently round and round in a 

 circle on some soft ground, the breaker at first following him up, but soon 

 being enabled to " longe " him while standing in the centre. After a day 

 or two, the breaking-bit already described may be slipped into his mouth, 

 and attached in the way shown in the engraving at page 205. It should, 

 however, only be allowed to hang there without reins at first, and it may 

 either be kept on while the colt is being led about, or for an hour or two 

 daily while in the stable. In this way the jaw and lips become accustomed 

 to the pressure of the bit, and lose the painful sensation which it at first 

 occasions. If, on the other hand, the reins are at once buckled on, and are 

 then strained tightly back to the surcingle, or dumb-jockey, the delicate 

 mucous membrane becomes sore, and even ulcerated, and the foundation is 

 laid for that dull, unyielding mouth which is so objectionable on every 

 account. 



It should never be forgotten, that the mouth is the foundation upon 

 which all the subsequent proceedings are to be conducted. A horse may 

 naturally have fine action, and he may be so framed that, if he were properly 

 bitted, he would be a delightful hack or hunter; but if his mouth is spoiled 

 in breaking, his fine action is thrown away, because it cannot be regulated 

 and controlled by such a trifling exercise of strength in the hand and arm 

 as is consistent with riding for pleasure. Many a puUing brute has won a 

 steeplechase, or shown to advantage in the hunting-field, with a professional 

 " up," which would not be ridden for ten minutes by an amateur who could 

 afibrd to make his own selection. Hence, the first thing which the breaker 

 has to set about is the formation of a good mouth; and this is exactly what 

 Mr. Rarey's plans fail to provide, and, indeed, it is what they interfere with 

 in a great degree, as I have observed at page 203. Well, then, let us 

 examine into the received mode of obtaining a good mouth in England. M. 

 Baucher has carried the European principles of producing it to a very high 

 degree, and it will be necessary to allude to his plans also; but, on the 



