114 Breaking. 



it is even desirable to increase the weight of the saddle by 

 placing upon it some moderately heavy substance of two 

 or three stones weight, such as trusses of shot, or the 

 like, gradually making them heavier, but never putting 

 more than the above dead weight upon the saddle. 



When the colt has thus been thoroughly seasoned, he 

 may be taken out and well lunged till he is tired, 

 still having his saddle on ; and during this exercise the 

 breaker will occasionally bear considerable weight upon 

 each stirrup, and flap them against the saddle, with the 

 object of making a noise, to which the colt should be 

 accustomed. It is a very good plan to have a leather 

 surcingle made to go over the saddle, and to attach the 

 buckles for the side-reins to this, instead of having them 

 sewn on to the saddle itself. When all is ready, and the 

 colt is tired by his lunging, &c., he may be taken into the 

 rubbing-house, as being close to the exercise ground, and 

 there the breaker himself, or one of the lads, may be put 

 upon the saddle, using him, as in all cases in young 

 horses, with great gentleness, and giving him constant 

 encouragement by the hand and voice. 



Mounting is much better accomplished in the stable 

 than out, and causes much less alarm, because the colt 

 has been always accustomed to be more handled there, 

 and is less inclined, therefore, to resist. The lad, or 

 breaker, should get up and down again several times, and 

 if the colt is good tempered he will generally allow all 

 this to be done without the slightest resistance. In 

 mounting there should be very little spring made, but the 

 lad may hang about the horse as if fondling him, and bear 

 his weight upon the saddle ; then place one foot in and 

 hang on steadily ; when, if this is borne, the weight may 

 be taken off for a minute or two, and then the lad may 

 very gently and insensibly almost raise himself up to the 

 command of the saddle, after which he may steadily turn 

 his leg over, and is then seated. When the lad has sat 

 quietly upon his back for a few minutes, the side-reins 

 having already been buckled to the leather surcingle, two 

 additional reins may be attached for his use, though the 

 chief dependence at first must be placed upon the breaker 



