Breaking. 113 



others are often sulky for a day or two, and hang upon it 

 steadily, with the intention of freeing themselves. All, 

 however, at last begin to champ, and when this is freely 

 done, the breaker may teach the colt the intention of the 

 bit, by making him stop and back when out of doors, by 

 its means. The rings on each side should be taken hold 

 of evenly by both hands, and the colt made to stand or 

 back by steady pressure, but without alarming him. 

 Kindness and gentle usage, with occasional encourage- 

 ment, soon accustom him to its use, and he only wants 

 ten days or a fortnight in order to obtain the desired 

 result of its presence in the mouth, which is called " get- 

 ting a mouth," and which is merely the giving to the 

 sense of touch in the lips an extra degree of delicacy. 

 When this stage is completed, and the mouth is quite 

 under command, so that the colt will either come forward 

 or backward by drawing his head in those directions, with 

 the bit held in both hands, the colt is ready for backing. 

 During the whole progress of breaking, daily slow lunging 

 and plenty of walking exercise should have been practised, 

 so that the colt is not above himself, but is more or less 

 tired each day. 



Before actual backing is attempted the saddle should 

 be put on, and it should always be a roomy one at first, 

 well stuffed, and fitting accurately, so as to avoid all 

 painful pressure. *The withers especially should be closely 

 watched, and if high and thin, the saddle should be pro- 

 portionally high at the pommel. The roller has been 

 hitherto the only kind of pressure round the chest, but it 

 has gradually been tightened from time to time, so as to 

 prepare the colt for the subsequent use of the girths 

 which are required to retain the saddle in its place. This 

 should be put on at first with the girths quite loose, and 

 with a crupper in addition, because, having already worn 

 one, the tail has become accustomed to its use, and 

 it often prevents the saddle from pressing with undue 

 force upon the withers, which are very sensitive and 

 easily made sore. The colt should be walked out and 

 lunged for a day or two with the saddle on before he is 

 mounted, so as to accustom the parts to its presence j and 



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