BREAKING IN". 115 



tancc. If the colt still shies, let the distance be farther increased, until he 

 takes no notice of the object ; then he may be gradually brought nearer to ifc, 

 and this will be usually efiected without the slightest difficulty ; whei'eas, 

 had there been an attempt to force the animal close to it in the first instance, 

 the remembrance of the contest would have been associated with the 

 object, and the habit of shying would have been estabhshed. 



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

 shown, but will scarcely have been used ; the colt must now, however, be 

 accustomed to this necessary instrument of authority. Let the breaker 

 walk by the side of the animal, and throw his right arm over his back, 

 holding the reins in his left ; and occasionally quicken his pace, and, at the 

 moment of doing this, tap the horse "vvith 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 together in the mind of the animal. If neces- 

 sary, the taps may gradually fall a little heavier, and the feeling of pain be the 

 monitor of the necessity of increased 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 now be taught to bear the saddle. 

 Some little caution Avill be necessary at the first putting of it on. The breaker 

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

 tion, while one assistant, on the off-side, slowly tightens the girths. If he 

 submits quietly to this, as he generally Avill when the previous process of 

 breaking-in has been properly conducted, the ceremony of mounting may 

 be attempted on the following or on the third day. The breaker will need 

 two assistants to accomplish this operation. He will remain at the head 

 of the colt, patting and making much of him. The rider will put his foot 

 into the stiiTup, and bear a httle weight upon it, while the man on the 

 off-side presses equally on the other stirrup-leather, and according to the 

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

 balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt be uneasy or fearful, he 

 should be spoken kindly to and patted, or a mouthfal of corn be given 

 him ; but if he offers serious resistance, the lessons must terminate for that 

 day ; he may probably be in better humour on the morrow. When the 

 rider has balanced himself for a minute or two, he may gently throw his 

 leg over, and quietly seat himself in the saddle. The breaker will then 

 lead the animal round the ring, the rider sitting perfectly still. After a 

 few minutes he will take the reins, and handle them as gently as possible, 

 and guide the horse by the pressure of them ; patting him frequently, and 

 especially when he thinks of dismounting — and after having dismounted, 

 offering him a little corn or green meat. The use of the rein in checking 

 him, and of the pressure of the leg and the touch of the heel in quickening 

 his pace, will soon be taught, and the education Avill be nearly completed. 

 The horse having thus far submitted himself to the breaker, these pattings 

 and rewards must be gradually diminished, and impHcit obedience mildly 

 but firmly enforced. Severity will not often be necessary : in the great 

 majority of cases it will be altogether uncalled for ; but should the animal, 

 in a moment of waywardness, dispute the command of the breaker, he 

 must at once be taught that he is the slave of man, and that we have the 

 power, by other means than that of kindness, to bend him to our will. 

 The education of the horse is that of the child. Pleasure is as much as 

 possible associated with the early lessons ; but firmness, or if need be 

 coercion, must confirm the habit of obedience. Tyranny and cruelty will, 

 more speedily in the horse than even in the child, provoke the wish to 

 disobey, and on every practicable occasion, the resistance to command. 

 The restive and vicious horse is, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, 

 made so by ill-usage, and not by nature. None but those who will take 



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