6o THEORY OF HORSE-CONTROL. 



confidential friend in question. When the groom is the 

 object of this exclusive form of affection, it is generally 

 advantageous to have him changed for a new man. 



Advisability of possessing various methods of break- 

 ing. — As horses differ greatly in temper and intelligence, 

 and as the removal of the cause is the best plan for the 

 treatment of either disease or vice ; the breaker, to be 

 successful in the instruction of young horses, or in the refor- 

 mation of " spoiled " ones, should be provided with various 

 methods for enforcing his commands. Hence, we may 

 rest assured that the horse-tamer who advertises his own 

 particular '* system " as a certain cure for all forms of dis- 

 obedience or vice, is as arrant a quack as the man who tries 

 to foist on the public a pill for the removal of every kind of 

 disease. In the following pages I shall describe various 

 breaking methods, from which my readers can select those 

 which they deem most suitable for particular cases. 



Selection of breaking methods. — The most useful 

 methods of breaking are those which we can readily and 

 frequently apply, so as to establish the desired habit. 

 Hence, the "indications" conveyed by the reins, voice, and 

 whip, and also by the leg, in saddle, should be specially 

 relied upon in forming the horse's " manners " and paces. 

 In other words, the horse's " mouth " (using the expression 

 in its most comprehensive meaning) should be the founda- 

 tion of all good breaking. I need hardly say that a horse 

 which has been trained to obey the " aids " (see page 64) 

 with precision, can be relied upon to remain steady and 



