BREAKING AND TRAINING. *53 



ant teaches the bullfinch to pipe, by dancing before its cage, playing to 

 the captive, and only pausing after each tune to indulge in the pretense 

 of a most extravagant delight. 



The youngster should then be led about a meadow by its tiny reins : 

 when perfect in this lesson, it may be fastened to its mother's head while 

 the mare goes to or from its labor. But it must not be forgotten that a 

 harsh word, hastily spoken, may efface more knowledge than a month 

 of tender tuition can communicate. Gentleness and equanimity are of 

 all value, when the confidence of young existence has to be won ; for 

 such a capacity, patience becomes something more than an ordinary 

 virtue. Some shyness or show of resistance must be expected when the 

 little foal finds itself first fastened to its mother's side, near the shafts of 

 a light cart ; but this will speedily disappear. The tiny feet should, at 

 length, be raised, and afterward the horn be gently tapped or rapped 

 against. These things should be repeated, till they are submitted to 

 without any evidence of fear having been excited by the liberties. Such 

 preparatory lessons ought to be given before the strength is sufficiently 

 matured to be dangerous. 







HANDLINO THE FEET. 



When the weaning has, by the process of nature, been accomplished, 

 the colt should not be turned out and neglected until a determined time 

 for " breaking in " comes round. It should still be sheltered and nour- 



