226 THE HORSE. 



sary, the taps may gradually fall a little heavier, and the feeling* of pain be 

 the monitor of the necessity of increased exertion. The lessons of reining 

 in and stopping", and backing on the pressure of the bit, may continue to 

 be practised at the same time. 



He may now be taught to bear the saddle. Some little caution will be 

 necessary at the first putting of it on. The breaker should stand at the 

 head of the colt, patting him, and engaging his attention, while one assist- 

 ant, on the off-side, gently places the saddle on the back of the animal ; 

 and another, on the near side, slowly tightens the girths. If he submits 

 quietly to this, as he generally will, when the previous process of breaking in 

 has been properly conducted, the ceremony of mounting may be attempted 

 on the following or on the third day. The breaker will need two assistants 

 to accomplish this operation. He will remain at the head of the colt, 

 patting and making much of him. The rider will put his foot into the 

 stirrup, ^nd bear a little weight upon it, while the man on the off-side presses 

 equally on the other stirrup-leather; and, according to the docility of the 

 animal, he will gradually increase the weight, until he balances himself on 

 the stirrup. If the colt be uneasy or fearful, he should be spoken kindly 

 to and patted, or a mouthful of corn be given to him : but if he offers 

 serious resistance, the lessons must terminate for that day ; he may pro- 

 bably be in better humour on the morrow. 



When the rider has balanced himself for a minute or two, he may 

 gently throw his leg over, and quietly seat himself in the saddle. The 

 breaker will then lead the animal round the ring, the rider sitting perfectly 

 still. After a few minutes he will take the reins, and handle them as gently 

 as possible, and guide the horse by the pressure of them ; patting him 

 frequently, and especially when he thinks of dismounting, — and after 

 having dismounted, offering him a little corn or green meat. The use of 

 the rein in checking him, and of the pressure of the \e^ and the touch of 

 the heel in quickening his pace, will soon be taught, and the education will 

 be nearly completed. 



The horse having thus far submitted himself to the breaker, these pat- 

 tings and rewards must be gradually diminished, and implicit obedience 

 mildly but firmly enforced. Severity will not often be necessary ; in the 

 great majority of cases it will be altogether uncalled for : but should the 

 animal, in a moment of waywardness, dispute the command of the breaker, 

 he must at once be taught that he is the slave of man, and that we have 

 the power, by other means than those of kindness, to bend him to our 

 will. The education of the horse is that of the child. Pleasure is, as 

 much as possible, associated with the early lessons ; but firmness, or, if 

 need be, coercion, must confirni the habit of obedience. Tyranny and 

 cruelty will, more speedily in the horse than even in the child, provoke 

 the wish to disobey ; and, on every practicable occasion, the resistance to 

 command. The restive and vicious horse is, in ninety-nine cases out of a 

 hundred, made so by ill-usage, and not by nature. None but those who 

 will take the trouble to try the experiment are aware how absolute a com- 

 mand the due admixture of firmness and kindness will soon give us over 

 any horse. 



CASTRATION. 



The period at which this important operation will be best performed 

 depends much on the breed and form of the colt, and the purpose for 

 which he is destined. For the common agricultural horse, the age of 

 four or five months will be the most advisable, or, at least, before he is 

 weaned. Very few horses are lost when cut at that age. The weather. 



