]]RI<:AKIXG IX. 121 



ing it to eitlier side of the interior of the buckle. So soon as the tongue 

 of the buckle is withch'awn from the hole, and presses upon the solid 

 leather, the strap is made to slide away with the utmost ease. 



Spring buckles can be readily made by any whitesmith, gunsmith, or 

 even blacksmith, who professes to be an ingenious mechanic. The open- 

 ing of the frame must be the exact width of the strap ; one inch and a 

 quarter. The depth of the buckle from the roller to the cross bar, upon 

 which are fastened the tongue and the strap, about one inch and three 

 quarters, having bent cheeks to admit the points of the finger and thumb, 

 and the distance from the base to the cross bar is entirely optional, say 

 half an inch. The spring must be sprung from the under side of the 

 base, because experience has proved that if it be fastened to the upper 

 side, it cannot be made to resist etfectually the violent concussions in the 

 plunging of the horse. The jsoint of the spring must cHp with exactness 

 the tongue, and be made to reach within half an inch from its point. The 

 spring itself must be strong, and of the finest temper, otherwise it will be 

 thrown out of gear in a very short time. It is made to screw on to the 

 base, so that it can be readily removed to be repaired or exchanged. The 

 strength of the frame may be about a quarter of an inch, or even less in 

 thickness. The smaller lauckle must just admit the strap to be shunted 

 to either side when required to be released. 



By these means, we will conclude the operator to be quietly and secui'ely 

 fixed in the saddle. He is now placed upon a timid creature, that has felt 

 neither whip nor spur, and in whose mouth the mucous membrane is as 

 fine in the fibre, and as sensitive to the touch, as is the interior covering 

 of his own organisation. Moreover, he now has attained a moral sway 

 over the animal, hitherto unkno"\vn to the horse himself, and perfectly 

 unappreciated by the man also. Therefore the rider must feel his own 

 way -n-ith gentleness, and not destroy that fine feeling, which is thus 

 certain to result, by the exhibition of brute force, guided by the spirit of 

 vvayivard tyranny. 



In attempting to urge the colt into motion, the readiest method is to 

 bend the head and neck to either side, and thus induce him to move in a 

 cii'cuitous course. So soon as he does so with facihty, the process of 

 moving in any direction will be rendered extremely simple. The walk 

 must be the only pace of exercise for the colt, until his bones, sinews, and 

 constitution are thoroughly accustomed to the weight of the rider, and 

 the periods of time required for exertion. The quiet pressure of the legs, 

 simultaneous with gentle feelings on the mouth, must gradually tend to 

 collect the colt in his walk, and assist to perfect his method of carriage 

 and correct regularity of pace. There are very few of the present race of 

 horse-breakers who practically know the difference between the amble 

 and the true walk, and if bad habits are taught in the fii'st instance, the 

 shuffling g-ait may continue through life. 



Should the colt be required exclusively and immediately for the purposes 



