LUNGING A HORSE. 3; 



have great experience in using the whip. If, instead of 

 hghtly dropping on the shoulder, the lash touches or brushes 

 by the head, the horse will start back, and we shall then 

 obtain a movement which is the exact opposite of what we 

 wanted. Also, if the horse is a bit lively, we may stimulate 

 him with a click of the tongue, which is a form of stimulus 

 we should not use too much, because it might upset other 

 horses when we are in company. 



If the use of the drivmg whip makes the horse plunge 

 or go off into the canter, as it often does, I soothe him by 

 lightly shaking the lunging rein and speaking to him at the 

 same time. The lunging rein should never be kept tight, 

 but should remain in touch with the mouth only by its own 

 weight, and by the vibrations which the breaker gives it. 



I have already said that the voice is a powerful help in 

 breaking. If, when we shake the lunging rein to make the 

 animal adopt a slower pace, we call out loudly "trot! " no 

 matter how stupid he may be, he will soon connect in his 

 mind the effect produced on his mouth and the sound which 

 falls on his ears. At first he will obey only the combined 

 impression, but he will soon learn to obey the voice by 

 itself. 



When I have obtained a free trot which is kept up for the 

 time required, I bring the horse to the walk by lightly 

 shaking the rein, in the same manner as I made him change 

 from the canter into the trot. Here also I use the voice 

 rather loudly, though mildly, in saying " whoa ! " 



The next step is to make the horse come up to the 

 breaker. To do this I gently shorten the rein and draw the 

 horse towards me, while walking backwards with very short 

 steps, so that he gradually gets closer to me. When he has 

 arrived within reach of my stretched-out arm, I pat him on 

 the neck and soothe him with the voice. I take great care 

 to avoid making the slightest forward movement with the 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



