238 



MODE OF BREAKING HORSES. 



lot drives from it not only the colts but the 

 fillies also, as soon as they are full grown. The 

 fact was only qualified in two or three instances, 

 when told to me, by the person who related it 

 adding, that if the horse did not do so, he was 

 taken from the lot, and broken for the pack- 

 saddle, being considered of a bad breed. When 

 a horse is to be tamed for any purpose what- 

 soever, he is noosed, after being put into a pen, 

 and is tied to a stake ; on the following day, or 

 perhaps the same afternoon, if he appears at all 

 tractable, a small low saddle is placed upon him, 

 and a man then mounts with a double halter. 

 The animal runs off with him, which the man, 

 far from attempting to prevent, rather urges 

 him to do ; though in general the whip and 

 spur are not made use of, unless he is obstinate 

 and refuses to go forwards. Horses of good 

 breeds are said to be those most easily tamed. 

 The horse runs until he becomes weary, and is 

 then brought back quietly by its rider ; and per- 

 haps they do not reach the rider's home until 

 the following day. The man must not dis- 

 mount until he has returned to the spot from 

 whence he started, as he would probably expe- 

 rience great difficulty when he wished again to 

 proceed, from the restiveness of the horse. The 

 same operation is continued as long as the 

 animal is not supposed to be effectually broken 

 in, and safe to mount. It happens on some 



