262 PRECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



to have a particular dislike to it at first, and gene- 

 rally attempt some devilry or other when first put 

 in. But, as regards English horses, be but gentle 

 with them, and use proper caution on first trying 

 them in harness, and not one in ten will attempt 

 mischief. Many a horse is rendered unsafe (that 

 is, not to be trusted) in harness by those unac- 

 customed to such business attempting to put them 

 in harness themselves. They may, perhaps, save 

 the charge of breaking to harness by getting a 

 cart and putting their horse in it ; sometimes they 

 succeed, but, even if they do, they have probably, 

 without knowing it, given the horse cause of alarm, 

 or distaste to harness, which he never forgets, and 

 will, some time or other, give them a proof of it. 

 If they do not succeed, they have, by the attempt, 

 brought the horse to a state of fright, anger, or 

 resistance that possibly the most experienced and 

 eflacient breaksmen cannot eradicate. 



The uninitiated are not aware of the very slight 

 mistakes that will cause a horse to kick on being 

 first put into harness. The mere putting the 



