36 THEORY OF HORSE-CONTROL. 



vices differ so much that the breaker must be essentially a 

 man of ready resource, and not a mere follower of routine. 

 Again, he must have sympathy with weakness, and must 

 be quick to appreciate and reward progress in learning and 

 compliance with his wishes. Skill can be obtained, and 

 " the magic touch " developed, only by long practice. The 

 handling of bad horses in breaking, certainly demands a 

 large amount of coolness and pluck, both of which can also 

 be improved by practice. ' 



Desirability of early training. — As those instincts of 

 the horse which are opposed to obedience to man, increase in 

 strength with age ; it is a great advantage to begin the educa- 

 tion of a horse as early as possible. Horses which from their 

 birth have roamed about in freedom for several years, have 

 their instinct of independence so strongly developed, that it 

 is proportionately difficult to make them learn that it is their 

 duty to obey, and not to dictate. I have met many such 

 cases among South African and under- bred Australian 

 horses which had been " taken up " late in life. Although 

 it is easy to make these old pupils lose their fear of man, it 

 is often impossible to induce them to render willing service: 

 in other words, if not actually sulky, their hearts, so to 

 speak, are generally behind, instead of in front of, their 

 work. Not alone do these rebellious instincts grow stronger 

 with years, but their possessors become less capable of 

 being influenced by new impressions. 



Gaining the horse's attention. — Whether the pupil 

 be a child or a horse, the first step which the teacher will 



