TRAINING 325 



on the off side presses equally on the other stirrup ; 

 and after having repeated this several times, the 

 person on the near side must put his left foot into 

 the stirrup, and gradually apply pressure to it, the 

 man on the off side pressing on the other stirrup- 

 leather as before, until the colt will endure the whole 

 weight of the rider, mounted, and leaning his hands 

 upon the saddle ; and if the animal proves very re- 

 fractory, no further attempt must be made at that 

 time. If this is in the morning, the same course 

 may be pursued in the evening, and by repeating 

 twice a day, it may be fairly mounted in about two 

 days. During this operation, a handful of corn 

 should be occasionally given to the colt. 



After the colt has been fairly accustomed to the 

 rider balancing himself in the stirrup, and has become 

 docile under it, the rider may gently throw his right 

 leg over the saddle, and quietly seat himself, taking 

 care that he has a firm hold of the reins in case the 

 horse should plunge and attempt to throw him 

 off. But if he submits to it with little resistance, the 

 breaker will then gently and slowly lead him round 

 the ring, while he is followed by a man with a whip, 

 as in the early part of his training the rider sits 

 quite still. He will then endeavour to direct the 

 horse round the ring by means of the reins, which 

 must be done by as gentle pressure as possible, while 

 he frequently pats the animal on the neck and en- 

 courages him to proceed. When he intends to 

 dismount, it must be done slowly and with much 

 caution, and the colt should be given some corn or 

 green meat to encourage him to obedience. Mount- 

 ing and dismounting should now be frequently 

 practised for a day or two, but he ought not to 

 be much exercised during this operation. When 



