494 THE HORSE BREAKING 



the rein. If tied up too tightly, especially with fixed or elastic 

 reins, he is liable to contract the evil habit of "boring" by 

 thrusting the nose forward and the head down, in an effort 

 to relieve the irritating strain. When the reins are properly 

 adjusted the horse works his head up and down, " bends " to 

 the bit, champs it, and froths at the mouth (both essentials of 

 satisfactory progress), while the natural state of the wicks of 

 the mouth as well as the sensitiveness of the " bars " inside, is 

 preserved in place of being lessened. After bitting has been 

 going on for some days, the reins being gradually tightened 

 and the duration of the lesson extended, the horse should be 

 taken out to an open field, and driven with long reins in front 

 of the breaker. Ropes are then fastened to his collar in the 

 position of draught chains, and pulled by men placed well 

 behind, to accustom the animal to the pressure on the 

 shoulders and the sensation of the chains rubbing against the 

 hind legs, such as occurs while turning in the plough. It 

 should next be yoked to a log with ropes (which are safer 

 than draught chains, should anything go wrong and the legs get 

 entangled), and when accustomed to this treatment, put in 

 double yoke with an old, steady, but active stepping horse. 



Breaking to the cart should come afterwards, as it is 

 often a difficult task with nervous animals. The greatest 

 possible care should be taken with all horses, even those reputed 

 to be quiet A man on each side of the head should hold a 

 long rein to prevent the horse, if startled, from jumping on 

 one or other of them. Two additional men, one on each side, 

 should fasten the attachments, the draught chains being 

 adjusted first. The kicking-strap or a rope substitute should 

 cross over above the root of the tail, each end being made 

 fast to a shaft. This is far more effectual than when the 

 rope is located in the usual place, over the highest point of 

 croup. A fifth man lets down the cart behind when the 

 horse is in position. A long pole placed between the body 

 of the cart and the axle, so that it projects well behind, pre- 

 vents the animal rearing. 



A wild, intractable, or even vicious horse may be subdued 

 by " Galvayning " the Australian method of tying his head 

 with the neck bent round to his tail, and driving him round 

 until he submits to be guided. By adopting this method any 

 horse may be more quickly and safely put through all the 



