264 RUNNING AWAY. 



comes impossible to bear up against it for any length of 

 time ; third, its impression upon the nervous system is 

 so great that when the struggle is ended the subjection of 

 the horse is complete. 



It is proper to add that these combinations and forms 

 of bits may be varied in different ways to an almost unlim- 

 ited degree. I give what I believe to be the simplest and 

 the best. 



A cool, determined man can perform wonderful feats 

 with the Breaking Bit, simple as it is. It requires more 

 work, but is the only bit I have found that works satisfac- 

 torily in making the mouth sensitive to the control of an or- 

 dinary snaffle bit. It was with this bit I performed my 

 greatest feats, and it cost me a good many years of experi- 

 menting to develop its resources. If the mouth is stiif and 

 hard, and it is desired to make it flexible, put on the har 

 ness with this bit in the bridle, run the reins through the 

 shaft-bearers, and get directly behind. Now commence ; 

 slowly move the horse on a moderate walk, and suddenly 

 call, " Whoa ! " following instantly with a quick, raking jerk 

 upon the reins. Repeat at short intervals, until at the mo- 

 ment the command is given, the horse will stop instantly 

 to avoid the hurt of being pulled upon. Then gradually 

 increase the gait to a fast trot or run, making him stop as 

 before. 



In most cases the horse will submit in from ten to fif- 

 teen minutes ; but if badly set in the habit, and plucky, 

 the resistance may be so strong that this cannot b done in one 

 lesson. The difficulty is, if the horse warms up very much, 

 the sensibility of the mouth becomes so blunted or de- 

 troyed that he will bear the severest pulling upon without 

 flinching. Then the best way is to put him away until 

 cool, when by a few minutes' treatment the mouth will be 

 found so sensitive that he will usually submit uncondition- 



