116 BREAKING. 



authority. Let the breaker walk by the side of the animal, 

 throw his right arm over his back, holding the reins in his left, 

 occasionally quickening his pace, and at the moment of doing 

 this tapping the horse with the whip in his right hand, and at 

 first very gently. The tap of the whip and the quickening of 

 the pace will soon become associated in the animal's mind. If 

 necessary, these reminders may gradually fall a little heavier, 

 and the feeling of pain be the monitor of the necessity of in- 

 creased exertion. The lessons of reining in and stopping, and 

 backing on the pressure of the bit, may continue to be practised 

 at the same time. 



He may next be taught to bear the saddle. Some little 

 caution will be necessary in first putting it on. The breaker 

 should stand at the head of the colt, patting him and engaging 

 his attention, while one assistant, on the off-side, gently places 

 the saddle on the back of the animal ; another on the nearest 

 side slowly tightening the girths. If he submits quietly to this, 

 as he generally will when the previous process of breaking-in 

 has been properly conducted, the operation of mounting may 

 be attempted on the following, or on the third day. The 

 breaker will need two assistants in order to accom])lish this. 

 He will remain at the head of the colt, patting and making 

 much of him. The rider will put his foot into the stirrup, and 

 bear a little weight upon it, while the man on the opposite side 

 presses equally on the other stirrup-lcntlier ; and according to 

 the docility of the animal, he will gradually increase the weight, 

 until he balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt is uneasy 

 or fretful, he should be spoken kindly to and patted, or a 

 mouthful of grain be given to him; but if he offers serious re- 

 sistance, the lessons must terminate for that day. He may 

 possibly be in a better humor on the morrow. 



