i;8 BREAKING ON FOOT. 



other convenient substitute, so as to teach him in a very 

 few lessons to stop the moment he hears this signal without 

 needing any hint from the reins. By acting on similar 

 principles, we may teach the horse, when riding, or driving 

 him, to halt in this way. While driving the animal on 

 foot, we should adjust the length of the standing martin- 

 gale or bearing-rein as may be required. The more he 



Fig. 87. Rein under cantle of saddle. 



is inclined to " play up," the shorter, as a rule, should 

 this martingale be, so as to afford increased control. Its 

 use will be needed at first in the large majority of cases, 

 and is of great service in preventing the rein from getting 

 over the back, as well as in giving the breaker command 

 over refractory subjects. In only a few instances, the 

 employment of a bearing-rein, for keeping the head up, will 

 be found necessary ; and much more often with " spoiled " 

 horses than with young ones. The severity of either of 



