CHAPTER XIV. 



THEORY OF BREAKING TO HARNESS. 



oG8. — Creaking the horse to harness is a more important, 

 world-wide work than even breaking him to saddle, not only 

 ])ecause a much greater number are used in harness than are used 

 exclusively in saddle, but also because the labour of the harness 

 horse contributes far more to the national wealth of most countries, 

 and his commercial value is more capable of being definitely and 

 almost universally increased as a drawer of A\'eights, than as a 

 carrier of living burdens. It would l»e difficult to over-estimate 

 the increased value that might be given to the harness horses of 

 the world, or the amount of suffering and ill usage that might 

 be saved to the animal itself, if his instructors and drivers 

 generally understood their business, and came to their work duly 

 impressed with some knowledge of the natural instincts of 

 the animal they so commonly spoil with their ignorance, 

 impatience, and unreasonable cruelty. 



o'i'J. — It no doubt will sound a rash statement to most of otir 

 readers when we say that what are called "false," '-baulking," or 

 "jibbing" horses, all of which names are given to horses that 

 will not pull at anything that does not come with a first effort, 

 and tliat not a very resolute one, are all without exception made 

 what they are with bad teachers and drivers, or to speak more 

 correctly, for want of good teachers and drivers. Whilst there is an 

 immense difference in the nature of horses in this respect so that 

 some will go wrong without the greatest care, and others go 

 riu'lit in very careless hands, it is nevertheless true that any 

 unspoiled horse can in time be made to prill again and again, and 

 anv horse can very soon be treated so that he will not pull a 

 second time. No one can completely cure a horse that has by 



