BREAKING TO HARNESS 215 



tliat a clever animal \vill kick very high indeed, yet there are few that will 

 get over a bar three feet from the ground. A kicking-strap and safety-rein 

 should always be used, for fear of accidents ; and a breaker of experience 

 generally uses the driving-rein in the cheek and the safety-rein in the 

 lower bar ; both being held in the same way as for four horses. No bearing- 

 rein should be employed ; and the tugs should be made open above, so as 

 to drop the shafts into them. With these precautions, there is no difficulty 

 in putting a colt into single harness ; but, if at all stubborn, he may not 

 be easily made to start, having no break-horse to take him off. Usually, 

 however, when five or six lessons in double harness have been given, the 

 colt walks off quietly enough ; but, after one or two lessons, he discovers 

 that what is to be done must be done by him unassisted, and he is then 

 very apt to give himself airs, if his temper is at all inclined to be bad. 

 Kicking may be kept under by the kicking-strap j running away may be 

 restrained by the bit ; but jibbing in single harness is very difficult to get 

 over. If necessary, an outrigger may be applied to the break, and a 

 second horse put on ; but it is better to exercise the patience by quietly 

 sitting still, when, after a short time, the jibber generally moves on of 

 his own accord. Beyond these expedients, nothing more is required thai? 

 time and practice. 



