BREAKING-IN". 225 



as to teach lilin every pace, and every part of his duty, distinctly and 

 thoroiig-hly. Each must constitute a separate and sometimes Iono--continued 

 lesson, and that taui^ht by a man who will never suffer his passion to get 

 the better of his discretion. 



After the cavesson has been attached to the headstall, and the lono- rein 

 put on, the first lesson is, to be quietly led about by the breaker ; a steady 

 boy folio wiiifr behind, by occasional threatening- vvith the whip, but never 

 by an actual blow, to keep the colt up. Wlien the animal follows readily 

 and quietly, he may be taken to the ring-, and walked round, right and left, 

 in a very small circle. Care should be taken to teach him this pace tho- 

 roug-hly, never suffering- him to break into a trot. The boy with his whip 

 may here again be necessary, but not a single blow should actually fall. 



Becoming tolerably perfect in the walk, he should be quickened to a 

 trot, and kept steadily at it ; the whip of the boy, if needful, urging him 

 on, and the cavesson restraining him. These lessons should be short. 

 The pace should be kept perfect and distinct in each ; and docility and 

 improvement rewarded with frequent caresses, and handfuls of corn. Tiie 

 length of the rein may now be gradually increased, and the pace quickened, 

 and the time extended, until the animal becomes tractable in this his first 

 lessons, towards the conclusion of which, crupper-straps, or something 

 similar, may be attached to the clothing. These, playing about the sides 

 and flanks, accustom him to the flapping of the coat of the rider. The an- 

 noyance which they occasion will pass over in a day or two; for when the 

 animal finds that no harm comes to him on account of these straps, he 

 will cease to regard them. 



Next comes the bitting. The bit should be large and smooth, and the reins 

 should be buckled to a ring on either side of the pad. There are many curious 

 and expensive machines for this purpose, but the simple rein will be quite 

 sufficient. The reins should at first be slack, and very gradually tightened. 

 This will prepare for the more perfect manner in which the head will be 

 afterwards got into its proper position, when the colt is accustomed to the 

 saddle. Occasionally the breaker should stand in front of the colt, and 

 take hold of each side rein near to the mouth, and press upon it, and 

 thus begin to teach him to stop and to back at the pressure of the rein, 

 rewarding every act of docility, and not being too eager to punish occasional 

 carelessness or waywardness. 



The colt may now be taken into the road or street to be gradually accus- 

 tomed to the objects among which his services will be required. Here, 

 from fear or playfulness, a considerable degree of starting and shying may 

 be exhibited. As little notice as possible should be taken of it. The 

 same or a similar object should be soon passed again, but at a greater dis- 

 tance. If the colt still shies, let the distance be farther increased, until he 

 takes no notice of the object ; then he maybe gradually brought nearer to it, 

 and this will be usually effected without the slightest difficulty : whereas, 

 had there been an attempt to force the animal close to it in the first instance, 

 the remembrance of the contest would have been associated with the object, 

 and tlie habit of shying would have been established. 



Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have been 

 shown, but will scarcely have been used ; the colt must now, however, be 

 accustomed to this necessary instrtiment of authority. Let the breaker 

 walk by the side of the animal, and throw his right arm over his back, 

 holding the reins in his left; and occasionally quicken his pace, and, at the 

 moment of doing this, tap the horse with the whip in his right hand, and 

 at first very gently. The tap of the v/hip and the quickening of the pace 

 will soon become associated together in the mind of the animal. If neces- 



