THE OBJECT OF BREAKING 75 



that only work on straight Hncs is demanded, until 

 the bars of the mouth arc used to the bit ; by doing 

 this one also avoids letting the young horses form the 

 bad habit of carrying their weight on the shoulders, 

 and bearing on the bit. One should also take off 

 the curb chains, and choose mild bits. 



There is not in training any regulation method 

 of holding the reins. It is for the rider, in accordance 

 with the end he has in view, and the resistance he 

 encounters, to find the method which makes the 

 most effective use of the actions of the bit and of 

 the bridoon. But the best method of holding the 

 reins is that which makes it most easy, when occasion 

 demands, to separate the reins and hold them in 

 each hand. 



Individual work. — The individual work of the 

 horses, which it has not been possible to commence 

 in the school or on the parade ground, is carried out 

 with great regularity out of doors. The instructor 

 takes advantage at first of the return journey to 

 divide the young horses into grouj)S, reduced daily 

 in number, and sends them by different roads. These 

 groups in their turn subdivide themselves into smaller 

 and smaller groups, and the young horse is thus 

 progressively brought to work alone. The demands 

 are increased until one has obtained from each horse 

 a ready obedience and an absolute calmness. 



The mounting lesson is frequently given during 

 the whole time that work is carried out in the oi:)en. 

 The results obtained in the school have only value, 

 in so far as they serve as a basis for the employment 

 of the horse in the country. 



Early jumping lessons. — There is an advantage, 

 in commencing the jumping education of the horse 



