J 14 BREAKING IN. 



resistance will be at an end. The same principles will apply to the break- 

 ing-in of the horse for the road or the chase. The handling and some 

 portion of instruction should commence from the time of weaning. Tiie 

 future tractability of the horse will much depend on this. At two years 

 and a half, or three years, the regular process of breaking-in should come 

 on. If it be delayed until the animal is four years old, his strength and 

 obstinacy Avill be more difficult to overcome. We cannot much improve 

 on the plan usually pursued by the breaker, except that there should be 

 much more kindness and patience, and far less harshness and cruelty, than 

 these persons are accustomed to exhibit, and a great deal more attention 

 to the form and natural action of the horse. A headstall is put on the 

 colt, and a cavesson (or apparatus to confine and pinch the nose) affi:xed 

 to it, with long reins. He is first accustomed to the rein, then led round 

 a ring on soft ground, and at length mounted and taught his paces. Next 

 to preserving the temper and docility of the horse, there is nothing of so 

 much importance as to teach him every pace, and every part of his duty, 

 distinctly and thoroughly. Each must constitute a separate and some- 

 times long-continued lesson, and that taught by a man who will never 

 suffer his passion to get the better of his discretion. 



After the cavesson has been attached to the headstall, and the long rein 

 put on, the first lesson is, to be quietly led about by the breaker, a steady 

 boy following behind, by occasional threatening with the whip, but never 

 by an actual Mow, to keep the colt up. When the animal follows readily 

 and quietly, he may be taken to the ring, and walked round, right and left, 

 in a very small circle. Care should be taken to teach him this pace tho- 

 roughly, never suffering him to break into a trot. The boy with his whip 

 may here again be necessary, but not a single blow should actually fall. 



Becoming tolerably perfect in the walk, he should be quickened to a 

 trot, and kept steadily at it ; the whip of the boy, if needful, urging him 

 on, and the cavesson restraining him. These lessons should be short. 

 The pace should bo kept perfect and distinct in each ; and docility and 

 improvement rewarded Avith frequent caresses, and handfuls of corn. The 

 length of the rein may now be gradually increased, and the pace quickened, 

 and the time extended, until the animal becomes tractable in this his first 

 lessons, towai-ds the conclusion of which, cruj^per-straps, or something 

 similar, may be attached to the clothing. These, playing about the sides 

 and flanks, accustom him to the flapping of the coat of the rider. The 

 annoyance which they occasion will pass over in a day or two ; for when 

 the animal finds that no harm comes to him on account of these straps, he 

 will cease to regard them. 



Next comes the bitting. The bit should be large and smooth, and the reins 

 should be buckled to a ring on either side of the pad. There are many curious 

 and expensive machines for this purpose, but the simple rein will be quite 

 sufficient. The reins should at first be slack, and very gradually tightened. 

 This will prepare for the more perfect manner in Avhich the head will be 

 afterwards got into its proper position, when the colt is accustomed to the 

 saddle. Occasionally the breaker should stand in front of the colt, and 

 take held of each side rein near to the mouth, and press upon it, and 

 thus begin to teach him to stop and to back at the pressure of the rein, 

 rewarding every act of docility, and not being too eager to punish occasional 

 carelessness or waywardness. 



The colt may now be taken into the road or street to be gradually accus- 

 tomed 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. As little notice as possible should be taken of it. The 

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



