368 The Book of the Horse. 



loosely up, while at the same moment another man joints on tlie outside trace. He is now 

 secure, and the inside trace can be fastened from behind the tame old break-horse. One of the 

 men now takes the breaksman's place, caressing the pupil ; if he is very restless he lays hold 

 of his ear. The breaksman jumps up, and, unless with a very refractory customer, the old 

 horse goes off gently. A man runs alongside the young one to encourage him, and keep his 

 shoulder against him if he hangs too much out of harness. He should be allowed to trot along, 

 without feeling either pole-piece or trace, until of his own accord he is willing to go forward. 

 He should not be driven more than a mile, especially if in soft condition, lest his shoulders 

 should be scalded, which would stop a daily lesson, and make him dread the collar. The 

 greatest care should be taken not to alarm him in taking him out of harness. The coupling rein 

 and inside trace must be first undone, then the pole-piece and outside trace, and care taken 

 that he does not touch the break in going off." 



To put a horse in single harness for the first time also requires three men, one at the 

 horse's head — all the preliminary precautions having been observed — and two to quietly draw up 

 the gig (a dog-cart with a seat behind, where a man can stand with his face to the horse, 

 being the best for the purpose) and drop it into the open tugs. At the same moment the 

 traces must be hooked on and the kicking-strap buckled to the proper length, which should be 

 previously ascertained. 



In this first lesson I think a bearing-rein, teaching the horse to be at ease on his 

 haunches, almost essential. " The horse being in the break, and the driver in his seat, one man 

 with a limp halter (which should be put on before the bridle) in his hand, the other with one 

 hand on the shaft or the slip-iron, the first leads the horse, the other moves the cart gently 

 on. No sound, no whip must be used. If the horse hesitates, let him stand still till he is 

 inclined to move. When he does go, let him walk away, the man at his side keeping hold 

 of the halter. After a time coax him to trot, the same man still running by his side. When 

 he goes quiet, let this man fasten the halter to the ' D ' of the hame, leave the horse's 

 side, and step lightly up alongside the driver. Should the horse stop, let him stand. He 

 will shortly want to go somewhere ; let him take any road he likes, no matter which 

 way, so long as he draws the break after him. Of all things avoid a fight 7vith a horse 

 till the last extremity. After a half an hour's drive at the outside take him out of har- 

 ness with great precaution, lifting the shafts from him without allowing them to touch his 

 flanks or rump." 



