322 thp: horse. 



it, and on the whole it is better, I think, to avoid all chance of 

 using it improperly, unless the rider is very cautious, and ac- 

 customed to the business of colt-breaking. When the colt is 

 quite quiet and submissive, after several days' leading about, 

 the lad may be trusted with the command of the bit, and may 

 have the reins intrusted to him, the breaker still keeping the 

 long webbing attached tq the cavesson, and being always pre- 

 pared to assist the lad, who, however, should now begin to try 

 to turn the colt and stop him at pleasure, taking a rein in each 

 hand, and using them wide apart, with the aid of his voice and 

 heel. As soon as it appears likely that the lad can control his 

 charge the cavesson may be taken off, and the colt placed in a 

 string of horses, which are so steady as not to give occasion, by 

 their example, for the colt's beginning to plunge. During the 

 course of breaking it is always safer to keep the colt rather un- 

 der-fed with oats, and until he is able to begin his cantering ex- 

 ercise he will scarcely bear an increase ; but much will depend 

 upon his temper ; and if he is inclined to fret he will often lose 

 flesh, and will demand more, rather than less, oats than usual. 

 Bad-tempered horses, however, will always require light 

 feeding during breaking, and extra time, as well as care, must 

 be bestowed upon them. This subject is better understood now 

 than it used to be, and fewer horses are spoiled than was for- 

 merly the case ; still, however, there is often room for improve- 

 ment, and the number of horses which are mismanaged at this 

 time is by no means small. Thoroughbred horses will not bear 

 bad treatment, in general, though some are certainly of such 

 savage tempers by nature as to require to be cowed ; still these 

 are the exceptions, and the vast majoity will, by early handling, 

 and cautious tackling and mounting, be broken almost without 

 a single fight or difficulty of any kind. If the}'' find themselves 

 hurt by bit or saddle, or by the crupper occasioning a sore, they 

 show their dislike to the pain by resisting, setting up their backs, 

 and refusing to progress quietly; but, unless there be something 

 wrong, they will submit to being backed and ridden much more 

 readily tlian the colts of the common breeds, which have seldom 

 had a head-stall on their heads, till a few days before they are 

 backed. I have more than once ridden thoroughbred colts in 

 tolerable comfort, within a week or ten days of their being first 



