HANDLING AND BREAKING. 215 



though, he may be accustomed to carry a 

 dumb jockey, or a lightly stufPed sack 

 securely girthed (for it must on no account 

 slip round), so as to become used to having 

 something on his back at an early age. 



Eiding for many years not much over 

 ten stone, I used to mount my own at two 

 years and ride them, but not out of a walk, 

 for a few weeks or m.onths, as I had time, 

 and then turn them, out again until they 

 were three. With a man to lead for the 

 first lesson or two, I never had any trouble ; 

 but then they always knew me so well that 

 they were never afraid of me. This I believe 

 to be the main thing in the successful 

 handling of young horses ; you must not 

 be afraid of them, and they must not be 

 afraid of you ; save with that salutary awe 

 and reverence as for a higher power. Mu- 

 tual confidence is thus established from the 

 first between horse and rider. You must not 

 expect him to do a thing properly until you 



