220 



THE HORSE. 



the taps miy gradually fall a little heavier, and the feeling of pai.i be the 

 monitor of the necessity of increased exertion. Tlie lessons of reining-in 

 and stoppinir, 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, patting him and engaging his attention, while one assistant, 

 on the otT-side, gently places the saddle ou the back of tiie animal, and 

 another, on the near-side, slowly lightens the girths. If he submits quietly 

 to this, as he generally will, when the previous process of breaking in has 

 been properly conducted, the ceremony of mounting may be attempted on the 

 following or on the third day. The breaker will need two assistants to accom- 

 plish this operation. 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 otf-side presses equally on 

 the other stirrup-leather ; and according to the docility of the animal, he 

 will gradually increase the weight, until he balances himself on the stirrup. 

 If the colt be uneasy or fearful, he should be spoken kindly to and patted, 

 or a mouthful of corn be given to liim : but if he ofTers 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 breakei 

 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 aa 

 possible, and guide the horse by the pressure of them; patting him fre- 

 quently, and especially when he thinks of dismounting, and after having 

 dismounted offaring 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 the 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 be often 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 educa- 

 tion of the horse is that of the child. Pleasure is, as much as possible, 

 associated with the early lessons ; but firmness, or if it need be, coercion, 

 must confirm the habit of obedience. Tyranny and cruelty will, more 

 speedily in the horse than 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 by nature. None but those who will take the trouble to try 

 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 important operation will be best performed 

 depends 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 advisable, or at least before he is weaned. Very 

 few horses are lost when cut at that a^e. The weather, however, should 



