BREAKING 197 



before making a real beginning with his education, 

 that he has for some time been led about. Very 

 well then ; we now commence by placing the break- 

 ing or first bit in his mouth, and the caveson and 

 caveson-rein on his head. He is then led for a 

 few days bearing this slight equipment, and, being 

 " lunged," is taught to go forwards under the guid- 

 ance of the lunging rein, and also to move under its 

 guidance the reverse way. The greatest care should 

 be exercised at this very early stage of the 

 youngster's schooling, not only to gradually persuade 

 him into complete confidence in himself and his 

 master, but also to prevent him from doing himself 

 an injury. For example, he should, as a pre- 

 cautionary measure, be provided with ankle boots — 

 since he is not kept going at an even gait round the 

 lunge — in order that he may be saved from hitting 

 his legs. A severe blow received on the leg at this 

 period might ultimately result in the formation of a 

 splint. The next thing to be done with him is to 

 place a roller, a crupper, and side reins upon him. 

 This triple operation should be accomplished at 

 once, whereby the roller may be preserved in its 

 proper position. Otherwise the latter would go 

 over his head or into his flank. We have now to 

 begin to accustom him to carry some kind of cloth- 

 ing, and this is effected by putting a rubber or any 

 light cloth upon his back. These successive opera- 

 tions should be performed with extreme gentleness, 

 patience, and care. We have by gradual steps 

 come to the saddle, which displaces the roller, the 



