204 MOUNTED BREAKING. 



trotting the horse, to use the reins in as nearly as possible 

 the same way as the breaker did on foot. 



In the following description of mounting the horse for 

 the first time, I have mentioned some precautions which, 

 like the use of the heavy sack and rope-twitch, would be 

 necessary only in exceptional cases. If we err, we should 

 certainly do so on the side of prudence ; for one of the 

 worst possible lessons which the horse can learn is that 

 of finding out that he can throw his rider. 



In cases of difficulty, or when great expedition is de- 

 manded, we may adopt the following method, which I 

 believe I have been the first to think out and put 'into 

 practice. Having made the horse go round and round 

 according to the head and tail method (see page 155), and 

 having by it taken any remaining " nonsense " out of him, 

 put over the headstall which I take for granted has a 

 short strap or rope attached to its off-side D, see page 156 

 a snaffle bridle, and knot the reins to the animal's neck, 

 so that they will not hang down. Place the saddle on the 

 horse's back, pass the outer girth of the surcingle over the 

 cord which connects the head with the tail, and girth up. 

 The requisite extent to which the head should be turned 

 round by the action of the cord, will be attained when the 

 animal is tied up just short of what would cause him to fall 

 down, if he were allowed to go round on his own account. 

 Having taken in the left hand the leading rein which is 

 fixed to the off D of the headstall, we should walk the 

 horse round and round several times, and should test his 

 amenability to discipline by stopping him with the leading 

 rein (see Fig. 101), and then pulling him round again. If 

 he resists us, we may feel convinced that he is not under 

 proper control, in which case we should, before proceeding 

 further, render him thoroughly docile according to direc- 

 tions already given. We should satisfy ourselves (see 



