Breaking. 107 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 BREAKING. 



Paddock — Leading tackle — Shoeing — Tying-up in the stable — Breaking — 

 Mouthing-bit — Breaking to harness — Breaking and teaching a Hunter — 

 Breaking the Lady's Horse. 



The breaking of colts is generally commenced in 

 warm summer weather, and there is no danger in allow- 

 ing the colt to be at liberty during the day, at such hours 

 as are not required to be occupied by the breaker's 

 instructions. 



It is necessary to have a series of airy boxes, separated 

 from one another, and at least 18 ft. by 12 ft., with a very 

 free circulation of air. These are much better made open 

 to the roof, as they are never used in cold weather for 

 horses, and will then serve for any other kind of stock if 

 required ; but at all events they should now be as airy as 

 it is possible to make them. Many people object to the 

 use of litter at this period, as being different to the cool 

 grass to which the colt has been accustomed, and recom- 

 mend tan as a much better kind of material for the floor 

 of the box. I am inclined to think that there is great 

 reason in this objection, and that the latter article is less 

 likely to produce that contraction of the feet which so 

 commonly occurs in the horse in training. A shady pad- 

 dock, with as soft a turf as possible, should be provided ; 

 and here a colt may be turned out the first thing in the 

 morning for an hour or two, and again at night for the 

 same time, leaving the middle of the day for the breaker's 

 manipulations. This plan also provides for the gradual 

 alteration of diet, as the colt will always pick a little grass 

 when turned out, and will only eat his hay during the long 

 night ; whilst his corn he has long been accustomed to, 

 and will still continue to relish. 



