BREAKING TO HARNESS Sj 



After the bridle has been put on, fix the standing 

 martingale to the rings of the snaffle and to the girth 

 of the driving pad, the latter consisting of an ordinary 

 pad with turrets, or else a saddle, with long stirrups. 

 I may note in this connection it is an advantage to 

 make use of a crupper. 



The driving reins employed should be stout, seven 

 yards in length. They should pass through the rings 

 of the driving pad, or if a saddle be used, through the 

 stirrup irons. Previous to this, however, the animal 

 ought to be driven without the reins passing through 

 either of these. Having arrived at the stage of con- 

 fined reins, the horse must now be circled first 

 to the right then to the left, and ought 

 frequently to be brought to a halt by a slight pull on 

 the reins. Before long the colt must be taught to stop 

 without being pulled, as a harness horse should 

 respond to some expression of voice. 



The first lessons ought to entirely be confined to 

 circling the animal at a " walk " only, and any 

 tendency to break through this pace should at once 

 be restrained. Other parts of his education may be 

 at the same time attended to. For instance, it is a 

 matter of importance to prevent a horse from crossing 



