344 THE HORSE. 



Tlie modes of breaking the young horse, as usually practised, 

 and as detailed, in some small degree, above, under the head of 

 breeding, consist of letting him stand on the colts' or breaking 

 bits ; lunging him, in a circle, by means of a long leading rein, 

 with the aid of a four-horse whip ; by which he is taught his 

 paces, and also how to turn and traverse — and, lastly, by put- 

 ting him into the hand of a rough rider, who, according as he 

 did or did not possess — what very few such men do possess — fine 

 seat, line liands, great judgment, great tact, unruffled temper, 

 unwearied patience, indomitable perseverance, and perfect 

 skill — in other words, talent approaching to genius, — turned out 

 the hoi'se perfectly well broke, which is the rare exception — 

 half finished, which is the rule — or a vicious, unmanageable 

 brute, which is but too often the consequence of the breaker 

 being, what he too often is, a sot, an ass, and a brute. 



The following are Stonehenge's additional rules for breaking 

 a hunter. They are admirable, and easy to be understood and 

 followed. For every saddle horse they are, moreover, well 

 worth following; since not only is every saddle horse much 

 better and more valuable for being a clever and easy 

 leaper, but even, if his rider never desire to leap him, he ac- 

 quires a more perfect use of his limbs, and a greater degree of 

 docility, by having been put through the forms of these in- 

 structions. 



BREAKING AND TEACHING. 



" Breaking is of course required for those colts, which are 

 specially intended for hunters, but except in teaching to jump, it 

 does not differ from the plan adopted in ordinary colt-breaking. 

 The same mouthing-bit which I have recommended above will 

 also suit this kind of horse, but its reins should be buckled 

 considerably tighter, and the horse "put upon it" for an hour a 

 day until he bends himself well. He may also have what is 

 called a " dumb jockey " buckled on his roller, with springs con- 

 tained within its arms, by which the bit is allowed to give and 

 take with the horse's action ; but still always having a tendency 

 to bend the neck, and bring the horse back on his haunches. 

 Unless this is effectually done, and the colt is made to use his 

 hind legs by bringing them well under him, thus carrying a 



