354 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



necessary when a man is mounted on his back. If the 

 previous process of breaking has been effectually accom- 

 plished, he will generally submit to all this quietly, if done 

 with caution. On or about the third day the trainer must 

 then attempt to mount. At first two assistants will be 

 absolutely necessary. His first business will be to remain 

 at the head of the animal, patting and caressing him, while 

 the person who intends to mount must first pull the left or 

 near stirrup pretty heavily with both hands, while the 

 man on the ofi" side presses equally on the other stirrup ; 

 and after having repeated this several times, the person on 

 the near side must put his left foot into the stirrup, and 

 gradually apply pressure to it, the man on the off side 

 pressing on the other stirrup-leather as before, until the colt 

 will endure the whole weight of the rider, mounted, and lean- 

 ing his hands upon the saddle ; and if the animal proves very 

 refractory, no further attempt must be made at that time. 

 If this is in the morning, the same course may be pursued 

 in the evening, and by repeating twice a day, it may be 

 fairly mounted in about two days. During this operation, 

 a handful of corn should be occasionally given to the colt. 



After the colt has been fairly accustomed to the rider 

 balancing himself in the stirrup, and has become docile under 

 it, the rider may gently throw his right leg over the saddle, 

 and quietly seat himself, taking care that he has a firm hold 

 of the reins in case the horse should plunge and attempt to 

 throw him ofi". But if he submits to it with little resist- 

 ance, the breaker will then gently and slowly lead him 

 round the ring, while he is followed by a man with a whip, 

 as in the early part of his training ; the rider sits quite 

 still. He will then endeavour to direct the horse round 

 the ring by means of the reins, which must be done by as 

 gentle pressure as possible, while he frequently pats the 



