APPENDIX I. 83 



to the single reins there must also be driving reins or cords, 

 carefully adjusted as to length, so as to preserve an even pres- 

 sure on either side of the mouth, attached to the rings on the 

 manger, so that any attempt to advance is immediately curbed 

 by the strain on the bit. 



These lessons should not extend over more than an hour at a 

 time, and during them the trainer should occasionally, by taking 

 the bit in both hands on either side facing him, or by laying 

 hold of the long reins, cause him, exercising only gentle 

 pressure, to rein back, saying at the same time in a tone of 

 quiet command, "back." There will be plenty of room for this 

 in a full-sized stall. He may also be taught to bend his head 

 to the right when the off-rein is pulled upon or even twitched, 

 and so on with the left. 



The instructor's aim must be to instil into his mind the firm 

 conviction that it is as impossible to resist the pressure of the 

 bit on either side of the mouth as it is to advance against it. 

 Extreme kindness and gentleness must be exercised in this 

 initial training, each comphance with the teacher's hand and 

 voice being at once met with some encouragement or reward, 

 in shape of a word or two of soothing approval, gentling his 

 head, and a few oats or pieces of carrot or apple — in the tropics 

 sugar-cane or carrot — the bit being removed from the mouth for 

 the purpose. Horses of all sorts are very quick in their likes 

 and dislikes. From the start never let the colt take a dead pull 

 at the reins, let all the pressures be exerted in a light feeling 

 manner with the fingers not the hands. 



On becoming fairly proficient at his indoor lesson, we will now, 

 with his Australian bush pattern head-collar-bridle on, a pair of 

 long reins run from the snaffle through the side rings of the sur- 

 cingle back into the trainer's hands, who Avill walk behind him, 

 and led by a leading rein attached to the near side of the head- 

 collar but wholly unconnected with the bit, take him into a quiet 

 yard or paddock. He has now to be taught to stop, back, and 

 turn to his bit. The control exercised by the assistant holding 

 the leading rein just suffices to prevent the colt rushing about, 

 or under sudden alarm running back ; he will also, though 

 giving him a perfectly free rein, be sufficiently close to his head 

 to aid him in obeying the mandates of the trainer. After walk- 

 ing about as quietly as possible for some time, teaching him 

 how to incline and turn, the feel on the mouth with a moderately 

 tight rein being carefully preserved, he will be on the word 

 " Whoa ! " brought to a stand still, and made to stand still and 

 motionless as a well-trained charger on parade. 



