MOUNTING HQRSE FOR FIRST TIME. 209 



cord and the animal's side. In either case the man will be 

 in a most dangerous position on an animal which is revolv- 

 ing round and round with but little control over its own 

 movements. Without the headstall being furnished with a 

 short strap or rope, which is also an improvement of mine, the 

 breaker will require to be unusually active and skilful, when 

 the animal is revolving rapidly round, to run in and catch 

 the horse by the headstall, so as to stop or diminish the rota- 

 tory movement. When the leading rein is on the headstall, 



Fig. 103. Buckjumping saddle. 



the breaker can with perfect safety catch it while the horse 

 is spinning round ; for it will at that time swing clear of 

 the fore legs and in a convenient position to be laid hold of. 

 In the foregoing paragraphs of this chapter, I have 

 described methods of mounting on the assumption that the 

 breaker has had one or two assistants. If he be single- 

 handed, he may, in the case of a violent or otherwise 

 difficult horse, make him quiet by a pretty stiff turn at the 

 head and tail (see page 155), lying down, or tying-on-the- 

 ground plan (see page 150), and mount before the good 

 effect of the discipline has passed off. In this way an 



