162 THE HORSE 



vent accidents. In most cases, if the preliminary 

 lessons have been well instilled, the colt will go 

 off well and quietly. For two or three days his 

 work should be confined to a few miles out and 

 back along all classes and gradients of roads, 

 making a " round " whenever possible. At length, 

 if all goes well, the breaker should get into the 

 cart and drive the colt, the attendant still leading 

 from one side. In a day or two both may ride, 

 and the pace may be increased and the journeys 

 lengthened. 



SoEE Shouldees 

 A light cart, short journeys, and as small an 

 amount of exertion as possible for the colt have 

 been insisted on because only thus can that bane 

 of horse-breakers, sore shoulders, be avoided. The 

 soreness of course starts as a bruise, which quickly 

 works into a sore place, and will necessitate a total 

 stoppage of breaking operations at a time when it 

 is most unportant that the work should be regu- 

 larly carried on ; and it may, in addition, lead the 

 colt to acquire the habit of starting badly or awk- 

 wardly. Thus, at all costs, must these catastro- 

 phes be avoided. If the animal is confined at 

 first to pulling a very light, empty cart, and is 



