THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. Il5 



the word bach, use pressure enough to curb the neck somewhat, but not 

 enough to force the body in such a position as to cause the center of 

 gravity of the animal to be strongly displaced. In backing, a hind leg 

 should be lifted first, then a fo7e leg, and so on in rotation, the reverse as 

 in walking. When the animal will back promptly and in line for ten or 

 fifteen steps consecutively, the fur-ther lessons may be safely left until 

 the time when the rider is in the sttddle or in the vehicle behind the 

 horses. Sometimes the motion may bb made by standing at the side of 

 the animal. However it is accomplished, if strong resistance is made 

 the lesson must begin again and again until it is entirely comprehended 

 and well executed. When so, a slice of sweet apple, carrot, a little 

 sugar, or something the animal likes may be given it. 



vn. Training to Saddle and Harness. 



We have stated that the colt should be broken at two years old. At 

 this age, however, it should never be put to hard labor. The work at 

 two years old should be more in the nature of exercise than anything 

 else, and this exercise should be to insure proper flexions of the body and 

 limbs than for the amount of work the animal will accomplish, bearing 

 in mind always, as before stated, what the animal is designed for. If as 

 a saddle horse solely, or in connection with light driving, it is absolutely 

 essential that the flexions should be thorough. The word flexion is but 

 another name for rendering the head, neck, body and limbs perfectly 

 supple. The animal must first have been rendered so quiet and obedient 

 that he will not strongly resist the will and action of the trainer. 



Put a bridle with a curb-bit on the colt, being careful to know that it 

 tits and that there is space between the chain and jaw, so the finger can 

 be easily slipped between. Standing in front of the horse, seize the right 

 curb-rein with the right hand, about six inches from the branch of the 

 bit, and the left rein with the left hand at about half the distance from 

 the branch. Draw the right hand towards the body, pushing at the 

 same time with the left, so as to turn the bit in the horse's mouth. If 

 the horse backs, continue the operation until he yields. When the horse 

 flexes his jaw and lowers his head, let the left hand slip along the rein to 

 the same distance as the right, then drawing the two reins equally bring 

 the head near the breast, and hold it there oblique and perpendicular, 

 until it is sustained of itself. The horse will give notice by champing 

 the bits. 



The jaw is flexed to the left by a contrary move as given above. So 

 the horse may be made to hold his head up, and perpendicular, to lower 

 it, so the trainer can make the horse flex his neck to the right and left. 



