TRAINING 321 



gristle of the nose becoming diseased from harshly- 

 pulling the cavesson. He must first be taught to 

 obey the action of the rein, and after he has become 

 obedient to it, he must next be led round a ring on 

 soft ground. To the cavesson is attached a small rope 

 or cord, which is held by the breaker, and the colt is 

 first led round the circle at a walk. When he has 

 acquired his paces, and become obedient to this action, 

 he should then be trotted round the circle, but at an 

 easy rate, and only for a short time at once. When 

 stopped, he should be caressed. He should be accus- 

 tomed to go both to the right and left. If any cir- 

 cumstance occurs which may frighten a young horse, 

 and he refuses to proceed in consequence, another 

 horse ought to be led on before him, and he is almost 

 certain to follow. At first the circles should be large, 

 and gradually diminished ; because small ones are apt 

 to produce giddiness and too much fatigue at first. 

 In performing those revolutions, he should be fre- 

 quently stopped by the trainer, and pulled up to him 

 gently, to show him that no injury is intended, and he 

 ought to be caressed at the same time. The cord 

 should be long and loose ; his paces all regular and 

 correct, and if he gets false in these, he should be at 

 once stopped, and recommenced. Should he become 

 restive or frolicsome, let the person who holds the 

 whip crack it to show him he is there, but upon no 

 account should he touch the horse with it ; or if he 

 stands still and plunges or rears, the whip should be 

 cracked, and only ought to be applied gently to him, 

 when he absolutely refuses to proceed. When the 

 trainer changes the direction of the colt, he should in- 

 variably be stopped, and each time be enticed to ap- 

 proach, which will have the effect of accustoming him 

 to have confidence in his attendant or groom, always 



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