462 FAMILIAB TALK 



Of course it cannot be difficult for any ordinary man, if 

 he follows the directions here given, to break the average 

 of bad colts and horses. But if the case is at all critical, 

 success must depend upon making no mistakes, and being 

 thorough. Every failure is an undoubted proof of the lack 

 of judgment and proper effort. True success in this as in 

 every other field of effort, must be the result of compre- 

 hending the conditions, and regulating the efforts accord- 

 ingly. All these conditions require careful observation 

 and thought. If the horse is bad, and there is not full 

 knowledge of him, there should be an effort to make him 

 reveal his character, when it will be easy to determine the 

 kind of treatment to be used. 



In building a bridge or steam machinery, where large 

 risks to life are involved, extraordinary precautions are 

 taken to insure safety against accidents, by requiring much 

 more strength or power than is expected to be used at any 

 time. Every part is tested as to its strength and weight, 

 far beyond what it is ever required to sustain, and, when 

 completed, is again proved, in order to give assurance of 

 its safety. 



Now in the subjection of horses, on whose docility and 

 security so much is risked, I cannot too strongly urge the 

 necessity of at least equal prudence and care to insure the 

 greatest possible degree of safety in their use. All horses, 

 especially those used for carriage and family driving, 

 should be tested very thoroughly. There should be no 

 fear of any rattle or noise of wagon, nor should any of the 

 usual minor causes of fear be noticed by him while driving. 

 There should be entire freedom to let the cross-piece run 

 against the quarters, and yet the driver should be able to 

 stop him instantly, without the horse offering the least 

 resistance. Catching the rein under the tail, and all such 

 incidental causes of irritation, should not be noticed by 



