166 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



understand horse nature and horse character, there is no 

 great difficulty in breaking and training young animals very 

 easily and satisfactorily. Each animal must be handled and 

 humoured according to its temperament and tendency ; but 

 it may be laid down as a rule, that kindness and firmness 

 should be the principles governing horse-breaking and horse- 

 training. It only too often happens, however, that the 

 opposite principles prevail, and that all young horses are 

 subjected to the same invariable routine of bullying, beat- 

 ing, and stupefying by noise and worry, no matter how 

 diverse they may be in their temper and intelligence. 

 Hence we need not wonder that there are troublesome 

 horses animals vicious or unmanageable, which, had they been 

 entrusted to men who understand them, in their early days, 

 might have been most placid and tractable : servants instead 

 of would-be masters. Tact and gentleness should always be 

 preferred to harshness and brute force, in managing young 

 horses. 



It is a good plan to accustom the foal to be handled at a 

 very early age ; the head, legs, and body being stroked and 

 patted, the feet lifted, and the voice employed to coax and 

 reassure it, a reward in the shape of a bit of bread, a little 

 oats, or anything else tempting, being given immediately after- 

 wards, if obedience is readily yielded. It is well also to 

 accustom the foal to wear a light head-collar of leather or 

 hempen band, close but easy-fitting, and not likely to get 

 entangled in anything. At first this may be worn only for a 

 short time, and in putting it on there should be no force used, 

 as the majority of foals are particularly impressionable, and their 

 first lessons have often a long, if not a lasting effect. By this 

 head-collar he can be held, led about, turned and restrained, 

 gradually and steadily, until he becomes so well accustomed to 

 handling that he will not object to it, and will even like it. 



When " haltering " has not been attempted until the 



