32 THE HORSE. 



expressed his surprise and abhorrence, probably in no 

 very gentle or measured terms, he was answered, that 

 such was the custom of the country ! 



The colt-tackle for breaking, with the large 

 and mild bit, need no description. The whole of this 

 furniture must be left to the direction of the breaker, 

 and no one can be an fait at the business, but a re- 

 gular, steady, and experienced man, whose first and 

 most important qualification is unwearied patience ; 

 the next, undaunted courage, joined to that indescri- 

 bable quality which some men naturally possess, of 

 beino- attractive to animals, and at once loved and 

 feared by them. Here we have the true domitor 

 equorum, or tamer of horses. The best horse in na- 

 ture may have his value infinitely depreciated by 

 imperfect breaking ; for example, his temper insuffi- 

 ciently subdued and regu ated, his mouth spoiled, and 

 his paces confused and run one into the other. Such 

 is too often the case with the nags of inferior and un- 

 informed breeders; hence another cause for the num- 

 ber of raw, ill-taught, and inferior nags. In most of 

 our counties are to be found capable colt breakers ; 

 more especially in the vicinity of our great breeding 

 studs. As has been already observed, accustoming 

 foals to be handled from the teat, stabled, haltered, 

 lead, and treated familiarly and kindly, greatly facili- 

 tate the first processes of breaking. The colt taken 

 up and rendered familiar with the stable a while, 

 may, in the next instance, be led about in a halter 

 and made steady in hand. The next process is to bit 

 and caparison him with his full tackle; the saddle 

 having a cross, or something elevated upon it, in or- 

 der to accustom him to a rider. He is shortly after 



