354 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
necessary when a man is mounted on his back. If the 
previous process of breaking has been effectually accom¬ 
plished, he will generally submit to all this quietly, if done 
with caution. On or about the third day the trainer must 
then attempt to mount. At first two assistants will be 
absolutely necessary. His first business will be to remain 
at the head of the animal, patting and caressing him, while 
the person who intends to mount must first pull the left or 
near stirrup pretty heavily with both hands, while the 
man on the off side presses equally on the other stirrup; 
and after having repeated this several times, the person on 
the near side must put his left foot into the stirrup, and 
gradually apply pressure to it, the man on the off side 
pressing on the other stirrup-leather as before, until the colt 
will endure the whole weight of the rider, mounted, and lean¬ 
ing his hands upon the saddle ; and if the animal proves very 
refractory, no further attempt must be made at that time. 
If this is in the morning, the same course may be pursued 
in the evening, and by repeating twice a day, it may be 
fairly mounted in about two days. During this operation, 
a handful of corn should be occasionally given to the colt. 
After the colt has been fairly accustomed to the rider 
balancing himself in the stirrup, and has become docile under 
it, the rider may gently throw his right leg over the saddle, 
and quietly seat himself, taking care that he has a firm hold 
of the reins in case the horse should plunge and attempt to 
throw him off But if he submits to it with little resist- 
an:e, the breaker will then gently and slowly lead him 
round the ring, while he is followed by a man with a whip, 
as in the early part of his training; the rider sits quite 
still. He will then endeavour to direct the horse round 
the ring by means ol the reins, which must be done by as 
gentle pressure as possible, while he frequently pats the 
