Breaking. \ 19 



to prevent him damaging himself in his violence, if he 

 plunges and kicks as some will do. The colt should have 

 a well-fitting collar on, and it should be previously well 

 oiled, to prevent its fretting the skin ; he should also have 

 a common rope halter on, with the end tied loosely to his 

 hame terret, so that the breaksman can lay hold of it, and 

 draw him towards him, without touching his mouth. 

 When all is ready, and the two horses are put together, 

 with the driver on the box, the break horse is gently 

 touched with the whip, and takes the break off very 

 quietly, the breaksman walking by the side, and en- 

 couraging the colt. Generally speaking, he walks off as 

 quietly as possible, or he may make a bounce or two, 

 but at first he does not seem to recognize his fetters 1 , 

 after a while, however, he will often plunge more or less, 

 and, perhaps, if viciously inclined, begin to kick. The 

 break should be steadily driven off, and kept going for an 

 hour or rather more, but not much longer, as the shoulders 

 are very apt to be galled by a persistence beyond that 

 time. This lesson is repeated every day, until the horse 

 learns to turn and hold back ; and it is astonishing how 

 soon a good-tempered horse takes to his new work. Knee- 

 caps should in all cases be put on, to prevent blemishes, 

 in case of any accidents. 



For single work, every horse should first be put in 

 double harness, and driven at least five or six times. It 

 is not generally at first that vice shows itself, and frequently 

 not until the fourth or fifth lesson, when the driver begins 

 to try what the colt is made of by giving him a short 

 gallop, with a stroke or two of the whip. And until this 

 has been done no one can foretell what the colt will do 

 under provocation, which is sure to come some time or 

 other. When, however, this has been tried, and the colt 

 will turn to either side, stop, and back, as well as throw 

 himself into his breechen in going down-hill, he may safely 

 be put into single harness, though at the same time with 

 great care. Some horses are at all times quiet in double 

 harness, and yet will never go in single harness, of which 

 I have had several specimens. I once had a most inve- 

 terate kicker in single harness, which would go as quietly 



