154: THE HORSE. 



the box, gives the word to the break-horse to move, and the break 

 is quietly started without any notice to the eolt, or effort on his 

 part. In the great majority of instances no resistance is made, 

 and all goes on smoothly lor some time. The break should be 

 driven slowly for three or four miles, and then the breaksman who 

 assists the breaker going to the side of the colt pulls him round 

 by the halter as the breaker drives the break-horse in a wide circle 

 for turning. In returning the horses should be stopped and started 

 again several times, and if the. eolt is pretty bandy the turning 

 may be repeated once or twice, but more than an hour's drive 

 should nut be attempted for fear of galling the shoulders, to pre- 

 vent which the inside of the collar should be well oiled on all occa- 

 sions just before starting. When taking the young horse out the 

 process of putting to should be exactly reversed. A repetition of 

 this lesson, and constant turning into narrow lanes and crowded 

 streets, together with uphill and downhill work, will soon make the 

 young horse handy in double harness, though for town work a con- 

 siderable time must elapse before he can be depended on in a 

 crush, especially without a steady companion. No horse should 

 be depended upon until he has been roused either by accidental 

 circumstances, or, if these do not present themselves, by an appli- 

 cation of the whip, for it often happens that a colt will go quietly 

 enough while his temper is unruffled, but when it is once upset he 

 shows fight until he is conquered or himself gains the victory. 

 Now it is far bettor that this should occur while in the hands of 

 the breaker than after he is sent home as thoroughly perfect in 

 harness. 



When the colt has had five or six lessons in double harness, 

 and has been made to show the nature of his temper in the way 

 I have just described, he may safely be put in the shafts, but not 

 till then. The single-break is a stoutly-built two-wheeled vehicle, 

 with strong and straight ash shafts. It should be so high as to 

 preclude the possibility of the horse kicking over the drawing- 

 bar; and though occasionally it will happen that a clever animal 

 will kick very high indeed, yet there are few that will get over a 

 bar three feet from the ground. A kicking-strap and safety-rein 

 should always be used, for fear of accidents ; and a breaker of 

 experience generally uses the driving-rein in the cheek and the 

 safety-rein in the lower bar; both being held in the same way as 

 for lour horses. No bearing-rein should be employed; and the 

 tugs should be made open above, so as to drop the shafts into them. 

 With these precautions, there is no difficulty in putting a colt into 

 single harness; but. if at all stubborn, he may not be easily made 

 to start, having no break horse to take him off. Usually, however, 

 when live or six lessons in double harness have been given, the 

 colt walks off quietly enough; but, after one or two lessons, he 



