BREAKING. 115 



Next comes the bitting. The bits should be large and 

 smooth, and the reins buckled to a ring on ench side of the 

 pad. There are many curious and expensive machines for this 

 purpose, but the simple rein will be quite sufficient. It should 

 at first be slack, and then very gradually tightened. This pre- 

 pares for the more perfect manner in which the head will after- 

 ward be got in its proper position, when the colt is accustomed 

 to the saddle. Occasionally the breaker should stand in front 

 of the colt, and take hold of each side-rein near to the mouth, 

 and press upon it, and thus begin to teach him to stop and to 

 back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding every act of do- 

 cility, and not being too eager to punish occasional careless- 

 ness or waywardness. 



The colt may now be taken into the road or street, that he 

 may become gradually accustomed to the objects among which 

 his services will be required. Here, from fear or playfulness, a 

 considerable degree of starting and shying may be exhibited, 

 of which as little notice as possible should be taken. The same 

 or a similar object should be soon passed again, but at a greater 

 distance. If the colt still shies, let the distance be still further 

 increased, until he takes no notice of the object. Then he may 

 be gradually brought nearer to it ; and this may usually be ac- 

 complished without the slightest difficulty ; whereas, had there 

 been an attempt to force him close to it' in the first instance, 

 the remembrance of the contest would have been associate^ 

 with every appearance of the object, and the habit of shying 

 would have been established. 



Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have 

 been shown, but will scarcely have been used ; the colt should 

 now, however, be accustomed to this necessary instrument of« 



