THE HORSE. 25 



Bilting. — Xext comes the bitting. The bits should be large and 

 smooth, and the reins buckled to a ring on either side of the pad. 

 There are many curious and expensive machines for this purpose, but 

 the simple rein will be cpiite sufficient. It should at first be slack, and 

 then very gradually tightened. This will prepare for the more perfect 

 manner in which the liead will be afterward got into its proper posi- 

 tion, when the colt is accustomed to the saddle. Occasionally the 

 breaker should stand in front of the colt, and take hold of each side 

 rein near to the mouth, and press upon it, and thus begin to teach him 

 to stop and to back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding every act of 

 docilit}^ and not being too eager to punish occasional carelessness or 

 waywardness. 



Shying. — The colt may now be taken into the road or street, to be 

 gradually accustomed to the objects among which his services will be 

 required. Here, from fear or playfulness, a considerable degree of start- 

 ing and shying may be exhibited. As little notice 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 still 

 farther increased until he takes no notice of the object. Then he may 

 be gradually brought nearer to it, and this will be usually effected with- 

 out the slightest difficulty: whereas, had there been an attempt to 

 force him close to it in the first instance, the remembrance of the con- 

 test w^ould have been associated with every appearance of the object, 

 and the habit of shying would have been established. 



Use of the AVllip. — Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip 

 may have been shown, but wnll scarcely have been used ; the colt must 

 now, however, be accustomed to this 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 quickening of the pace will soon become associated in the mind 

 of the animal. If necessary, these reminders may gradually fall a little 

 heavier, and the feeling of pain be the monitor of the necessity of in- 

 creased exertion. The lessons of reining-in and stopping, and backing 

 on the pressure of the bit, may continue to be practiced at the same 

 time. 



Use to the Saddle. — He may now be taught to bear the saddle. Some 

 little caution wnll be necessary at the first putting of it on. The breaker 

 should stand at the head of the colt, patting him and engaging his at- 

 tention, while one assistant on the offside 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 the 

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

 mony of mounting 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 docilitv of the animal, he should 

 2 



