1 10 Breaking. 



ruined, and they are rendered unfit for the purpose for 

 which they are otherwise well qualified. Their feeding is 

 so high that they are full of spirit, and will fight to the 

 death if they are made to resist by ill-treatment or hasty 

 breaking ; it is, therefore, more by coaxing and gradual 

 leading on step by step, from one point gained to another 

 which is to be overcome, that this animal is vanquished, 

 and made at last to yield his powers to the guidance of a 

 young lad of twelve years of age, or even less. 



Breaking. 



Lunging may now be commenced, which will require 

 the aid of a second hand, in order to compel the colt to 

 progress in the circle by threatening him with the whip 

 behind him. The cavesson, boots, roller, crupper, &c., 

 are all put on, and a long leading-rein of webbing is 

 attached to the ring in the nose of the cavesson, just as 

 if the colt was going to be led out as usual. But instead 

 of merely leading, the colt is made to walk round 

 a circle on some piece of soft turf ; and then, when he 

 has learnt to do this kindly, he is made to canter slowly 

 round, the assistant walking behind him until he will pro- 

 gress by himself, which he soons learns to do. As soon 

 as he has gone round the circle in one direction a dozen 

 times or so, he may be turned round and made to reverse 

 it, which prevents giddiness, and also any undue strain 

 upon either leg. This process is repeated at various 

 times throughout the breaking, and is the best mode of 

 keeping the colt quiet by giving him any amount of work 

 on the canter or gallop. It is not, however, used for the 

 same purpose as in the ordinary breaking of hacks and 

 harness horses, where it is made a means of getting them 

 upon their haunches ; an alteration from a state of nature 

 which it is not desirable to effect in the race horse. On 

 the contrary, it is often necessary to make him extend 

 himself still more than he otherwise would, and the less 

 he is upon his haunches the better. The bit, therefore, 

 is never used in his mouth as a means of putting him 

 back upon his hind legs ; whilst it is, on the other hand, 



