BREAKING-IN 25c 



Tlie colt may now be taken into the road or street to be gradually zu sustained to 

 he objects among which his services will be required. Here, from fear or playful- 

 less, a considerable degree of starting and shying may be exhibited. As little no- 

 tice as possible should be taken of it. The same or a similar object should be soon 

 passed again, but at a greater distance. If the colt still shies, let the distance be far- 

 ther increased, until he takes no notice of the object. Then he may be gradually 

 brought nearer to it, and this will be usually effected without the slightest difficulty : 

 whereas, had there been an attempt to force him close to it in the first instance, the 

 remembrance of the contest would have been associated with every appearance of the 

 object, and the habit of shying would have been established. 



Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have been shown, but 

 will scarcely have been used ; the colt must now, however, be accustomed to thia 

 necessary instrument of authority. Let the breaker walk by the side of the animal, 

 and throw his right arm over his back, holding the reins in his left, occasionally 

 quickening his pace, and at the moment of doing this, tapping the horse with the 

 whip in his right hand, and at first very gently. The tap of the whip and the quick- 

 ening of the pace will soon become associated in the mind of the animal. If neces- 

 sary, these reminders may gradually fall a little heavier, and the feeling of pain be 

 the monitor of the necessity of increased exertion. The lessons of reining in and 

 stopping, and backing on the pressure of the bit, may continue to be practised at the 

 same time. 



He may now be taught to bear the saddle. Some little caution will be necessary 

 at the first putting of it on. The breaker should stand at the head of the colt, pat- 

 ting him, and engaging his attention, while one assistant, on the off-side, gently 

 places the saddle on the back of the animal ; and another, on the near-side, slowly 

 tightens the girths. If he submits quietly to this, as he generally will when tho 

 previous process of breaking-in has been properly conducted, the ceremony of mount- 

 ing may be attempted on the following, or on the third day. The breaker will need 

 two assistants in order to accomplish this. He will remain at the head of the colt, 

 patting and making much of him. The rider will put his foot into the stirrup, and 

 bear a little weight upon it, while the man on the off-side presses equally on the other 

 stirrup-leather; and, according to the docility of the animal, he will gradually in- 

 crease the weight, until he balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt is uneasy < r 

 fearful, he should be spoken to kindly and patted, or a mouthful of corn be given t > 

 him : but if he offers serious resistance, the lessons must terminate for that day. He 

 may probably be in better humour on the morrow. 



When the rider has balanced himself for a minute or two, he may gently throw 

 his leg over, and quietly seat himself in the saddle. The breaker will then lead 

 the animal round the ring, the rider sitting perfectly still. After a few minutes he 

 will take the reins, and handle them as gently as possible, and guide the horse bj 

 the pressure of them ; patting him frequently, and especially when he thinks of 

 dismounting and, after having dismounted, offering him a little corn or green meat. 

 The use of the rein in checking him, and of the pressure of the leg and the touch of 

 the heel in quickening his pace, will soon be taught, and his education will be nearly 

 completed. 



The horse having thus far submitted himself to the breaker, these pattings and 

 rewards must be gradually diminished, and implicit obedience mildly but firmly 

 enforced. Severity will not often be necessary. In the great majority of cases it 

 will be altogether uncalled for : but should the animal, in a moment of waywardness, 

 dispute the command of the breaker, he must at once be taught that he is the slave 

 of man, and that we have the power, by other means than those of kindness, to bend 

 him to our will. The education of the horse should be that of the child. Pleasure 

 is, as much as possible, associated with the early lessons ; but firmness, or, if need 

 be, coercion, must establish the habit of obedience. Tyranny and cruelty will, mo/e 

 speedily in the horse than even in the child, provoke the wish to disobey ; and, on 

 every practicable occasion, the resistance to command. The restive and vicious 

 horse is, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, made so by ill-usage, and not ly na- 

 ture. None but tnose who will take the trouble to try the experiment are aware how 

 ibsolute a command the due admixture of firmness and kindness will soon give ui 

 wei any horse. 



