64 THE ART OF TAMING- HORSES. 



EDITORS REMARKS. 



Mr. Earey says nothing about "longeing," which is the 

 first step of European and Eastern training. Perhaps 

 he considers his plan of pulling up the leg to be suf- 

 ficient ; but be that as it may, we think it well to give 

 the common sense of a much-abused practice. 



Ignorant horse-breakers will tell you that they longe a 

 colt to supple him. That is ridiculous nonsense. A 

 colt unbroken will bend himself with most extraordi- 

 nary flexibility. Look at a lot of two-years before start- 

 ing for a run ; observe the agility of their antics : or 

 watch a colt scratching his head with his hind foot, and you 

 will never believe that such animals can require supple- 

 ing. But it is an easy way of teaching a horse simple 

 acts of obedience of getting him to go and stop at 

 your orders : but in brutal hands more horses are 

 spoiled and lamed by the longe than any other horse- 

 breaking operation. A stupid fellow drags a horse's 

 head and shoulders into the circle with the cord, while 

 his hind-quarters are driven out by the whip. 



" A colt should be longed at a walk only, until he circles 

 without force. 



" He should never be compelled to canter in the longe, 

 though he may be permitted to do it of himself. 



" He must not be stopped by pulling the cord, which 

 would pull him across, but by meeting him, so that he 

 stops himself straight. A skilful person will, single- 

 handed, longe, and, by heading him with the whip, 

 change him without stopping, and longe him in the 

 figure of 8. No man is fit to be trusted with such 

 powerful implements as the longe-cord and whip who 

 cannot do this. 



