350 MAXUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



must be taught to know the effect of the whip and spur, 

 but their uses must be administered with much caution ; 

 and only showing him that we have the power of enforcing 

 submission. 



If a young horse refuses to allow the bit to be placed in 

 his mouth, it must not be attempted to accomplish it by 

 force, because this will only redouble the resistance. Coax- 

 ing and gentle trials day after day will be the quickest 

 means of accomplishing the object. When it has been 

 effected, then kindness should be shown him, and caresses 

 used. A head-stall is now put on him, and a cavesson is 

 then affixed to it, with long reins. The cavesson is an 

 apparatus intended to confine and pinch the nose ; but this 

 being a powerful and severe instrument, it should be used 

 gently. Instances have been known of the bones and 

 gristle of the nose becoming diseased from harshly pulling 

 the cavesson. He must first be taught to obey the action 

 of the rein, and after he has become obedient to it, he must 

 next be led round a ring on soft ground. To the cavesson 

 is attached a small rope or cord, which is held by the 

 breaker, and the colt is first led round the circle at 

 a walk. When he has acquired his paces, and become 

 obedient to this action, he should then be trotted round 

 the circle, but at an easy rate, and only for a short time at 

 once. When stopped, he should be caressed. He should 

 be accustomed to go both to the right and left If any 

 circumstance occurs which may frighten a young horse, 

 and he refuses to proceed in consequence, another horse 

 ought to be led on before him, and he is almost certain 

 to follow. At first the circles should be large, and gradu- 

 ally diminished ; because small ones are apt to produce 

 giddiness and too much fatigue at first. In performing 

 those revolutions, he should be frequently stopped by the 



