184 THE HORSE. 
of the harness, and as a matter of course in any case he must have this 
put on him. Every groom ought to know how to do this, but at the 
same time in a colt he should be cautioned to proceed slowly and quietly 
so as not to frighten him. Mr. Rarey’s plan of showing the horse every- 
thing which is to be put on him is a very good one, and taking advantage 
of it, before the collar is slipped over the head a little time may be allowed 
for the future wearer of it to smell it and examine it with his eyes also. 
Many breakers, to avoid the danger of alarming their pupils by putting 
the collar over their heads, have this part made to open at the withers, 
where a buckle secures it after it has been slipped up under the neck. 
But collars made in this way are not so firm as when constructed in the 
ordinary mode, and are more liable to punish the shoulders, so that what 
is gained in one way is lost in the other. A quiet and handy man can 
always slip a collar over a horse’s head if he will take time, and especially 
if he has previously handled the animal and made him accustomed to his 
presence. As soon as this part of the harness is in its place the pad and 
crupper must be gently put on the back, and then quietly raising the tail 
with every hair gathered and firmly grasped in the left hand the right 
slips the crupper under it, and as soon as this is done the left drops the tail 
and assists the right to buckle the two parts together. In the previous 
breaking the colt has been accustomed to the crupper so that there is no 
occasion for extra care in this part now. The pad is then drawn forward 
to its place, the bellyband buckled, and the rest of the harness being put 
ov in the ordinary way, the colt is allowed to feel it for a few minutes and 
should then be led out in a yard or other convenient place for an hour. 
The general practice is after this to put him to at once, but it is far better 
if the colt is at all shy to take off the harness and postpone the com- 
mencement of actual breaking till the next day. 
THE ACTUAL PUTTING TO is managed differently in double and single 
harness, but as I have endeavoured to show that the former should always 
precede the latter, I shall commence by describing it. In breaking to 
double harness a steady old horse should be provided, usually called a 
break-horse. All that is wanted is an animal of good courage and free 
from vice, who wiil draw steadily off on the slightest notice and will stop 
firmly when required. Some old horses which have had a great deal of 
practice in the break will assist their masters in a wonderful manner. If 
a colt kicks over the pole they will press against the intruding leg and 
cause him so much pain that he remains quiet till he is relieved. Indeed 
it matters not what the attempt is, they defeat it by some counter 
manceuvre, but these horses are rare and fortunately are by no means 
essential to success. Before attaching the colt the break-horse should be 
put to, and it is usual to place him on the near side. Then, having the 
break conveniently situated for starting, the colt is brought out with a 
halter on and the cord knotted to his tracebearer so as to give a good hold 
in case he plunges or kicks. The pole-piece is then loosely buckled up, 
after which the inside trace is slipped over the roller bolt, and then 
the breaksman pushing the quarters forcibly inwards the outside trace is 
carefully adjusted and the pole-piece buckled up to its proper length. 
Quickly but quietly and without fuss the reins are crossed and buckled, 
and the ends being taken by the breaker he mounts to the box, gives the 
word to the break-horse to move, and the break is quietly started without 
any notice to the colt, or effort on his part. In the great majority of 
instances no resistance is made, and all goes on smoothly for some time. 
The break should be driven slowly for three or four miles, and then the 
