APPENDIX I. 



^^THE TRAINING OF PONIES FOR CHILDREN. 



We will take it for granted that the colt, say a three or four 

 year old, is well accustomed to the restraint of the common halter, 

 and is obedient to thecavesson on both sides, also that he leads 

 quietly and bears a fair amount of handling. Were I permitted 

 to explain the Galvayne system, I could, in a very few pages, 

 save the breaker and the colt much time, trouble, and many 

 trials of temper and patience. I have not the professor's per- 

 mission to make the tempting disclosures. Without trenching 

 on his domain, I may lay down the following rough-and-ready 

 modus operandi, which, however, I am free to confess would be 

 considerably facilitated by a set of his breaking tackle, especially 

 of a particular rope, not made of any vegetable fibre, which, in 

 some cases, exercises a potential control. We must just " gang 

 our ain gait " as my countrymen say. 



Having fitted the colt with a soft-lined head-collar-bridle, of 

 the Australian bush pattern, with strong hooks or straps by which 

 to attach the bit, I proceed to bit him. The bit should be on the 

 flexible principle, the mouth-piece being either of chain or a series 

 of ball and socket sections, covered over with white and 

 tasteless rubber, or other soft and yielding material. It should 

 be no thicker than a man's little finger. Inside the cheek and 

 leg of this snaffle I have a large flat disc of sole leather, rounded 

 at the edges, stitched as a guard to prevent the possibility of 

 the bit being drawn through the mouth, of- pinching the cheeks 

 against the teeth or in any way injuring the mouth. Every bit, 

 no matter how merciful, will, more or less, make the bars of the 

 mouth tender, but this least of all. If any suffering is evident, 

 or any inflammation set up, then the use of the bit must, till all 

 appearance of undue redness has disappeared, be discontinued* 



G 



