163 



CHAPTER V. 

 BREAKING ON FOOT. 



Catching a horse and making him quiet to handle Mouthing a horse with the 

 long reins on foot Teaching a horse to turn on his forehand Teaching a 

 horse to lead. 



IN this chapter I shall describe the breaking of the horse 

 preliminary to his being either ridden or driven, whatever 

 may be the purpose for which he is intended. I assume 

 that he has not been handled, and that he is in sufficiently 

 good condition to stand the fatigue of breaking. I shall 

 provide, as far as I can, for difficult cases, which, I need 

 hardly point out, often occur even in England ; to say 

 nothing of countries in which colts and fillies are brought 

 up under wild conditions. Those of my readers who are 

 fortunate enough to have only quiet horses to break in, can 

 skip the description of precautions and methods which 

 others less favourably placed will find useful, if not indis- 

 pensable for the attainment of success. 



It will be observed that by the system I adopt, the 

 manners of the horse are, as far as possible, made con- 

 currently with his " mouth." In fact, a few days' driving 

 with the long reins (see page 168) would make the wildest 

 or most vicious horse (supposing that the vice did not 

 proceed from disease, as in the case of a mare suffering 

 from nymphomania) quiet to handle, as well as obedient 

 to the bridle. 



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