244 BREAKING CASTRATION. 



cility of the animal, he will gradually increase the weight, until 

 he balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt is uneasy or 

 fearful, he should be spoken kindly to and patted, or a mouthful 

 of grain be given to him ; but if he offers serious resistance, the 

 lessons must terminate for that day. He may probably be in bet- 

 ter humor 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 feM' minutes he will 

 take the reins, and handle them as gently as possible, and guide 

 the horse by the pressure of them ; patting him frequently, and 

 especially when he thinks of dismounting ; and, after having 

 dismounted, offering him a little grain, or green feed. 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 hrmly 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, more speediH 

 in the horse than even in the child, provoke the wish to diso- 

 bey ; and, on every practicable occasion, the resistance to com- 

 mand. The restive and vicious horse is, in ninety-nine cases 

 out of a hundred, made so by ill-usage, and not by nature. None, 

 but those who will take the trouble to make the experiment, are 

 aware how absolute a command the due admixture of firmness 

 and kindness will soon give us over any horse. 



CASTRATION. 



The period at which this operation may be best performed de- 

 pends much on the breed and form of the colt, and the purpose 

 for which he is destined. For the common agricultural horse 

 the age of four or five months will be the most proper time, or, 

 at least before he is weaned. Few horses are lost when cut at 

 that age. Care, however, should be taken that the weather is 

 not too hot, nor the flies too numerous. 



Tf the horse is designed either for the carriaire or for heavy 



