STUD BOOK. 169 



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 pres- 

 ence. 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 on 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 har- 

 ness and postpone the commencement of actual breaking till 

 the next day. 



THE ACTUAL PUTTING TO 



is managed differently in double and single harness, but as I 

 have endeavored to show that the former should always pre- 

 cede the latter, I shall commence by describing it In 

 breaking to double harness a steady old horse should be pro- 

 vided, usually called a break-horse. All that is wanted is an 

 animal of good courage and free from vice, who will 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 manoeuvre, but 

 these horses are rare and fortunately are by no means essen- 

 tial 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 start- 



