BREAKING AND TRAINING. 179 



to break must be guarded against in every way, and therefore 

 slow walking is best to commence with ; when taught to un- 

 derstand that breaking is objectionable, then faster walking 

 can be allowed. But it does not answer to keep the colt too 

 long at walking lessons, and he may be trained to the trot at 

 the same time, the two paces being adopted alternately ; but 

 the transition from one to the other should be clear and marked 

 — walking a mile and trotting half-a-mile, changing from one 

 to the other being brought about by the reins, or by the leg or 

 spur, which should also be used to accelerate the speed of either 

 pace. An hour of this tuition is enough at a time, and twice 

 a day should be sufficient. When he understands how to 

 walk, he must then be made to walk fast and true, with- 

 out any breaking into the trot until required to do so. Months 

 will be required to train a horse to walk well, but it is 

 v/orth all the time and trouble, and youth is the best time to 

 teach it. 



The trot is taught rather diflerently to the walk. There 

 are three kinds of trot — the jog-trot, true trot, and flying trot. 

 The first is a most objectionable pace — no faster than a walk, 

 and harassing to the rider, it should be discouraged ; the second 

 is the one most patronised and useful ; and the third is the 

 accelerated trot of the trotting matches. The true trot is the 

 one to be taught for general utility. 



The trot is generally commenced from the walk, and is 

 begun by gathering up the reins, so as to feel the mouth more 

 strongly and cause the colt to lift his fore limbs higher, bend 

 his knees better, and bring the hind legs well forward under 

 the body, in order to produce that free action which is not only 

 pleasant to the eye, but desirable for the comfort of the rider. 

 The bit keeps the animal together and in check, while the leg, 

 heel, or spur incite him forward. He should lead off always 

 with the right fore-leg, if possible, though some horses can 

 never do this well with that limb, but naturally and most 

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