TRAINING VS. BREAKING 267 



ments. The colt, after being practised on the 

 lunge, should be taught somewhat the meaning 

 and the purpose of the bit before he is mounted. 

 Patience and gentleness to the end that fear may 

 be banished will enable a trainer to get a colt into 

 such an acquiescent condition that when the rider 

 finally gets into the saddle the colt accepts the in- 

 novation with nothing exceeding a mild surprise. 

 The saddle should be used in the lunge exercise 

 several times before a man mounts. Some recom- 

 mend that a weight, such as a bag of meal, be tied 

 into the saddle towards the end of the lunge ex- 

 ercises so that the colt will get used to weight on 

 the back. This is not a bad idea. Before the rider 

 mounts the first time, the stirrups should be pulled 

 down and pressure be put upon them so that the 

 colt may feel the weight of the saddle. When the 

 foot of the rider is first put into the stirrup he 

 should raise himself very gently, the left hand 

 being in the mane of the colt. After bearing all his 

 weight a few seconds in the stirrup he should re- 

 turn to the ground without taking his seat in the 

 saddle. This he should repeat several times, the 

 number of times depending upon how the colt 



