178 MODERN FAllRIER. 



naturally becomes impatient from the dread of being 

 suffocated. 



It is customary to lead a colt at first "wdth a ca- 

 vesson, which is buckled round the nose ; but this 

 is a very harsh and severe instrument, if not used 

 with peculiar gentleness. Instances have some 

 times occurred of the bones of the nose becoming 

 diseased, from being pinclied and bruised by the 

 sudden and violent jerks given by the hand of an 

 impatient, drunken, or unskilful breaker. 



The first and most useful lesson in breaking a 

 colt is to louuije him in a circle. A cavesson is 

 fixed to his head, to which is attached a long small 

 cord. Tliis cord being held by the breaker, the colt 

 trots round him in as large a circle as the cord will 

 • admit. This, however, must be done very gently, 

 and but little at a time ; for more horses are spoiled 

 by over much v»'ork than by any other treatm.ent, 

 and that by very contrary effects ; for sometimes it 

 drives them into vice, madness, and despair, and 

 often stupifies and totally dispirits them. 



The Earl of Pembroke very justly observes, that 

 the first obedience required in a horse is going for- 

 wards : till he perform this duty freely, never even 

 think of making him rein back, which would inevi- 

 tably make him restive : as soon as he goes forwards 

 readily, stop and caress him. You must remember 

 in this, and likewise in every other exercise, to use 

 him to go equally well to the right and left : and 

 when he obeys, caress him and dismiss him imme- 

 diately. If a horse that is very young takes fright 

 and stands still, lead on another horse before him, 

 which probably will induce him instantly to follow. 

 Put a snaffle in his mouth ; and w^hen he goes 

 freely, saddle him, girting him at first very loose. 

 I^et the cord which you hold be long and loose, but 

 not so much so as to endanger the horse's entan- 

 gling his legs in it. It must be observed that small 

 circleSj in the beginning, would constrain the horse 



