BREAKING AND TRAINING. 171 



perhaps, the large smooth snaffle with keys depending from its 

 ring, as no movement of the tongue can raise it from the lips 

 or gums, while the colt can easily play with and enjoy it, instead 

 of fighting against it, as he is likely to do with most of the 

 others. It is generally considered necessary that the bit should 

 be large and smooth ; and to prevent it being drawn through 

 the mouth, it should have guards at the sides. 



Whatever bit may be employed, it ought not to be drawn 

 up tight into the corners or angles of the mouth, nor so low 

 down as to come into contact with the incisor teeth, but be 

 placed opposite the space behind the chin where the curb-chain 

 usually lies, and close above where the tush grows. 



These things should fit easily and be put on quietly. The 

 reins must not be fastened to the bit for two or three days. 

 When the colt has on the bit, surcingle, and crupper, he is 

 allowed to stand quietly in the loose box until he becomes 

 accustomed to them ; then he may be circled with them a few 

 times on the longeing ground, and taken home for water and 

 feed, the bit, of course, being removed from his mouth. 

 In two or three hours afterwards he is taken out again, bridled 

 a few times, then led along roads or lanes to accustom him to 

 see and pass unfamiliar objects — the quietest places being first 

 selected. If frightened at anything, he must be quietly dealt 

 with and assured of safety: patting and speaking to him, 

 allowing him to approach and examine whatever scares him, 

 and passing it backwards and forwards a few times if possible. 



This training ought to be gone through morning and after- 

 noon, the morning's work being commenced with a little 

 longeing. The reins may be attached to the bit on the third 

 day, and buckled evenly to the surcingle, but they must be 

 rather slack. For a number of days he should be led through 

 more frequented lanes, streets, and in towns, and gradually ac- 

 customed to all kinds of noises ; the reins, meanwhile, must be 

 gently tightened by shortening them a hole every day until the 



