112 BREAKING. 



upon him. He will be too much confiaed by the harness and 

 by the other horses, to make much resistance ; and, in the 

 greater nnraber of instances, will quietly and at once submit 

 Every thing, however, should proceed gradually and by suc- 

 cessive steps, and, above all, no whip or harsh language should, 

 under any circumstances, be allowed to be used. Although mild- 

 ness is absolutely essential, it is none the less necessary that 

 the colt should be taught implicit obedience to the will of his 

 master. To accomplish this, neither whip, nor spur, nor loud 

 shouting, nor hallooing is necessary ; the successful horsebreaker 

 is required to possess but the three grand requisites of firmness, 

 steadiness, and patience. 



When the colt begins to understand his business somewhat, 

 the most difficult part of his work, backing, may be taught him j 

 first, to back well without anything behind him, then with a 

 light curb, and afterwards with some more heavy load — the 

 greatest possible care being always taken that his mouth be not 

 seriously hurt. If the first lesson causes much soreness of the 

 gums, he will not readily submit to the second. If he has been 

 previously rendered tractable by kind usage, time and patience 

 will accomplish every thing that is desired. Some persons are 

 in the habit of blinding the colt when teaching him to back. 

 This can only be necessary with a restive and obstinate one, and 

 even then should be used only as a last resort. 



In the whole process of breaking it should constantly be 

 borne in mind, that scarcely any horses are naturally vicious. 

 Cruel usage alone first provokes resistance. If that resistance 

 is followed by greater severity, the stubbornness of the colt in- 

 creases in proportion ; open warfare ensues, in which the man 

 seldom gains the advantage, and the horse is frequently ren- 



