HOW TO BENDER HORSES OBEDIENT. 273 



cavesson is placed ; a surcingle is then buckled round 

 the animal's body, to the rings of which, right and left, 

 the snaffle-reins are attached loosely, but still short 

 enough to keep the neck and head nearly straight, and 

 encourage the animal to lean on the mouth-piece. A 

 judicious horse-breaker will then lead the young horse 

 about, at first in a quiet place, and gradually on to 

 roads, &c., where various objects present themselves, as 

 horses, vehicles, houses, &c.,to which his pupil becomes 

 accustomed a matter of great importance, as many 

 accidents occur where a young one that has scarcely 

 learned to tolerate a burden on its back is brought, under 

 a rider, all of a sudden in contact with strange objects 

 and unaccustomed noises. Moreover, the horse becomes 

 habituated to follow the trainer, and obey the lounge 

 and reins in a gradual and gentle manner, and a good 

 understanding is soon established between them. 



And this, be it remarked, is a method seldom prac- 

 tised by school-riders, or in military establishments ; 

 the consequence of which is, that the young horse, when 

 trained ever so completely in the riding-school, has to 

 undergo a new course of instruction when it becomes 

 necessary to take it out on the roads and streets, and 

 frequently gets into messes that undo almost all that 

 has been previously done. 



Here, too, we find a practical hint for the treatment 

 of full-grown horses that shy at particular objects and 

 sounds, or object to passing certain spots. Treat them 

 as the English trainer does his young ones, lead them 

 about as described above, and reward them for their 

 docility with a bit of bread, sugar, or something of the 

 sort ; you will thus avoid all conflicts, the danger and 

 evil consequences of which are enhanced a thousand- 



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