HANDLING AND BREAKING. 229 



two they generally begin to display this self- 

 will by trying to turn homewards, refusing 

 to pass some particular point, or insisting 

 on taking one road instead of another. 

 Generally a sharp pulling together, with a 

 touch of the spurs, or a smart stroke of 

 a cutting whip (only sit tight) down each 

 shoulder alternately, as rapidly administered 

 as possible, will correct this ; but sometimes 

 a colt will be very persistent, twisting round 

 and kicking or plunging, sometimes rearing, 

 time after time, as you continue to urge him 

 forward. But, whatever he does, you must 

 never give way : stick to him, and keep him 

 there all night rather than let him beat you ; 

 for, if he has done so once, he will certainly 

 expect to do so again. Nevertheless, I 

 believe it is best not to continue active 

 fighting after the first bout — i.e., not to 

 rouse the full combatant force of so vigorous 

 and high-couraged an animal as the blood 

 horse, but rather to possess your soul in 



