198 BREAKING ON FOOT. 



We are all aware that the tendency of a horse when 

 being led by an ordinary leading-rein or by the bridle reins 

 is to " hang " on them, and if jerked by them, to resist the 

 pull given. The use of the crupper leading-rein, on the con- 

 trary, prompts the animal to move collectedly on account 

 of the pressure of the rope under his tail stimulating 

 him to bring his hind -quarters under him. I do not know 

 who invented this form of leading-rein, which was em- 

 ployed by Fanchion, Magner, Pratt, Rockwell, and other 

 American " horse-tamers." It is also an admirable means 

 of making and consequently teaching a horse to follow a 

 cart or trap behind which he is tied, and also for getting a 

 nervous horse into a railway box. When pulled by the 

 head the natural tendency of a horse, as I have just said, is 

 to resist ; but when drawn forward by a rope or other simi- 

 lar material passed under his tail, he is strongly prompted 

 to go on. If a horse which is attached by his head to a car- 

 riage in motion happens to make a stumble, the rein or lead- 

 ing rope on becoming tight will have the effect of increasing 

 the weight on the forehand, with the probable result of 

 pulling the animal down on to his knees. If, on the 

 contrary, the horse be attached to the back of the vehicle 

 by the crupper leading-rein, the pressure of the rope will 

 fall on the hindquarters without any interference with 

 the head. 



When a man on foot leads a horse, he should, supposing 

 that he is on the near side of the animal, bring the reins 

 over the horse's head, hold both reins at a convenient 

 distance from the mouthpiece in his right hand with the 

 little finger between them, and should have his left hand 

 between the reins at their centre (see Figs. 13 and 14). 

 When the reins are held in this manner by the right hand, 

 the right rein can be tightened by the action of the little 

 finger on it ; and a far firmer hold can be obtained, es- 



