BREAKING IN. 323 



back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding every act of docility, and not being 

 too eager to punish occasional carelessness or waywardness. 



The colt may now be taken into the road or street to be gradually accus- 

 tomed to the objects among which his services will be required. Here, from 

 fear or playfulness, a considerable degree of starting and shying may be 

 exhibited. As little notice as possible should . be taken of it. The same or a 

 similar object should be soon passed again, but at a greater distance. If the 

 colt still shies, let the distance be farther increased, until he takes no notice of 

 the object. Then he may be gradually brought nearer to it, and this will be 

 usually effected without the slightest difficulty : whereas, had there been an 

 attempt to force him close to it in the first instance, the remembrance of the 

 contest would have been associated with every appearance of the object, and 

 the habit of shying would have been established. 



Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have been shown, 

 but will scarcely have been used ; the colt must now, however, be accustomed 

 to this necessary instrument of authority. Let the breaker walk by the side of 

 the animal, and throw his right arm over his back, holding the reins in his left, 

 occasionally quickening his pace, and at the moment of doing this, tapping the 

 horse with the whip in his right hand, and at first very gently. The tap of the 

 whip and the quickening of the pace will soon become associated in the mind of 

 the animal. If necessary, these reminders may gradually fall a little heavier, 

 and the feeling of pain be the monitor of the necessity of increased exertion. 

 The lessons of reining in and stopping, and backing on the pressure of the bit, 

 may continue to be practised at the same time. 



He may now be taught to bear the saddle. Some little caution will be neces- 

 sary at the first putting of it on. The breaker should stand at the head of the 

 colt patting him, and engaging his attention, while one assistant, on the off-side, 

 gently places the saddle on the back of the animal ; and another, on the near" 

 side, slowly tightens the girths. If he submits quietly to this, as he generally 

 will when the previous process of breaking-in has been properly conducted, the 

 ceremony of mounting may be attempted on the following, or on the third day. 

 The breaker will need two assistants in order to accomplish this. He will 

 remain at the head of the colt, patting and making much of him. The rider 

 will put his foot into the stirrup, and bear a little weight upon it, while the man 

 on the off-side presses equally on the other stirrup-leather ; and, according to 

 the docility of the animal, he will gradually increase the weight, until he 

 balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt is uneasy or fearful, he should be 

 spoken to kindly and patted, or a mouthful of corn be given to him : but if he 

 offers serious resistance, the lessons must terminate for that day. He may pro- 

 bably be in better humour on the morrow. 



When the rider has balanced himself for a minute or two, he may gently 

 throw his leg over, and quietly seat himself in the saddle. The breaker will 

 then lead the animal round the ring, the rider sitting perfectly still. After a 

 few minutes he will take the reins, and handle them as gently as possible, and 

 guide the horse by the press-are of them ; patting him frequently, and espe- 

 cially when he thinks of dismounting,— and, after having dismounted, offering 

 him a little corn ol green meat. The use of the rein in checking him, and of the 

 pressure of the leg and the touch of the heel in quickening his pace, will soon be 

 taught, and his education will be nearly completed. 



The horse having thus far submitted himself to the breaker, these pattings 

 and rewards must be gradually diminished, and implicit obedience mildly but 

 firmly enforced. Severity will not often be necessary. In the great majority 

 of cases it will be altogether uncalled for: but should the animal, in a moment 

 of waywardness, dispute the command of the breaker, he must at once be taught 



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