308 



HORSE TRAINING 



persons may imagine out of a young horse; for at first he is worried and 

 perplexed by learning what to do, and when the lesson is properly learnt 

 it is hard work to be sent round in a circle for so long a time as many 

 two-year-olds are. To vary the monotony, the breaker should repeatedly 

 reverse the direction of going round, sending his pupil first to the right 

 and then to the left, taking care that he always leads with the right leg, 

 and checking him as soon as ever he breaks from the canter into a gallop. 

 The lungino- should not be a lono; affair, half an hour, includino; the 



Fig. 569.— Lunging Tackle 



necessary halts for rest and the rectification of faults, being amply sufficient 

 for each lesson; and when the youngster has become c|uite steady he 

 may be tried over small obstacles to teach him how to jump, but always 

 kept on the lunging rein. Most colts require a little humouring at first 

 when it comes to leaping, but patience and kindness soon teach them 

 what they are required to do, and every possible effort should be made 

 to spare them injury and save them from Ijeing frightened when an 

 obstacle is first presented to them to negotiate. Falls and bumps will 

 come quite soon enough to warn the colt of the unpleasant consequences 

 which succeed a mistake; and, above all things, it is necessary to give 

 him confidence at the start. 



First Mount. — At three years old the embryo hunter is usually backed 

 for the first time, but before any attempt is made to ride him he should be 



