I.] FIT FOR COMMON RIDING. 11 



almost all high-couraged young horses become restive 

 after leaving the colt-breaker's hands. It is, indeed, in 

 consequence of this that the class of people called colt- 

 breakers exists at all. For if we all rode on their principle, 

 which is the true principle, any groom or moderately good 

 rider could break any colt or ride any restive horse. 



No horse becomes restive in the colt-breaker's hands ; 

 nor do any remain so when placed in his hands. The 

 reason is that he invariably rides with one bridle and two 

 hands, instead of two bridles and one hand. When he 

 wishes to go to the right he pulls the right rein stronger 

 than the left. When he wishes to go to the left he pulls 

 the left rein stronger than the right. These are indica- 

 tions which, if the colt will not obey, he will at least 

 understand, the very first time that he is mounted, and 

 which the most obstinate will not long resist. But as 

 may be supposed, it takes a long time to make him 

 understand that he is to turn to the right when the left 

 rein is pulled, and to the left when the right rein is pulled. 

 And it is only the meek-spirited and docile who will do 



