BREAKING AND TRAINING. 167 



animal is weaned, or even later, there is often great difficulty 

 experienced, and much patience and tact are generally required 

 to effect it. In only too many instances it is achieved by brute 

 force, with perhaps a certain amount of cruelty and terrori- 

 sation. " A farmer has a colt he wishes to halter ; so he gets 

 his men together and drives the colt into a yard or stable. A 

 man then hangs on to the timid animal by one of his ears and 

 his nose, another man seizes his tail, whilst three or four more 

 men push against either side of the poor frightened beast; then 

 ensues a struggle. The colt, frightened out of his senses, and 

 not knowing what is i-equired of him, fights the half-dozen 

 men clinging to him ; he rears, bites, and strikes with his fore- 

 feet. The men on seeing this, and the farmer standing near, 

 say he is a savage brute, and must be reduced by savage 

 means. The colt is then beaten with a broom or pitchfork- 

 handle, his tail is twisted, and every means of inflicting ex- 

 cruciating pain is resorted to, which, instead of subduing the 

 animal has the reverse effect — the colt being driven to madness, 

 struggles and fights until he vanquishes his foes. There is 

 then a consultation between the farmer and his men, and at 

 last this ferocious beast is haltered by stratagem ; but through- 

 out all his life he is either vicious or extremely nervous and 

 shy, for he will never forget his first introduction to mankind, 

 and the rough usage he then encountered." 



In such a case as the latter, the colt (or filly) to be haltered 

 should be quietly induced to go into a yard, stable, or loose 

 box — either by leading, driving, or the enticement of a horse 

 led before him, with a man or two on each side at a little 

 distance to prevent him getting away — everything being con- 

 ducted silently and soothingly. When in the yard or stable, 

 if a horse has been employed as a decoy, he should be removed 

 and the door closed, only one man being left with the colt, 

 which should be allowed to survey and smell at leisure until 

 satisfied that there is nothing dangerous present. After a 



