48 THEORY OF HORSE-CONTROL. 



RAPID METHODS OF BREAKING. 



We are greatly indebted to American horse-tamers, from 

 Rarey down to Sample, for having furnished us with labour- 

 saving methods of breaking. If we examine the work- 

 ing of these methods, we shall note that they are founded 

 on intensity of impression in the association of ideas (see 

 page 6) ; on the principle of showing a horse his power- 

 lessness to resist our orders ; or on a combination of the 

 two. The ordinary English, French, and German systems 

 are based on repetition for the formation of a habit ; but 

 without special intensity of effect. Consequently, the 

 desired result takes a long time (say, from six months 

 to two years) to be obtained, and is liable under trifling 

 provocation to be lost. The " horse-tamers " and their 

 followers make three blunders : in claiming that their 

 respective systems are infallible ; in asserting that the 

 effects are permanent ; and in failing to recognise the 

 great importance of a " good mouth " and obedience 

 to the " aids." While fully admitting that no system 

 of education is infallible, and that the best broken horse 

 is capable of being spoiled at any moment by an incom- 

 petent attendant, rider, or driver, I must say that, with 

 extremely few exceptions, any unhandled or spoiled horse, 

 no matter how wild, vicious, or old he may be, can be 

 made, by quick methods, quiet to ride and ready to obey 

 the ordinary indications of the reins in from two to four 

 hours. Such a horse, to become a reliable " conveyance," 

 would probably require about twelve more lessons two a 

 day of an hour's duration each. He ought by that 

 time to have acquired a fairly good mouth, steady paces, 

 and " cleverness " to jump any ordinary fence. Army 

 remounts which have never had even a halter on them, might 



