The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-04-13
Training Horses for the Saddle.

Training Horses for the Saddle.
The London Veterinarian for February
has review of new book by CECIL, on
training horses. We have marked few
passages which please us. and will serve
as useful hints to such as are not too wise
already.-EDs. CULT.
We have always been of opinion that
horses were used under great disadvan-
tages, irksomely to themselves, besides.
awkwardly and annoying to their riders
and drivers, who had moi been educated,
or, as it is called, 'hroke in,' for the pur-
pose for which they were intended. Com
pared with the number who receive no
''bre aking" at all-or none, save what lit
tie they get 10 quiet them to domesticity.
from the hands of the country "colt break
err" how few are they who have once had
a schoolmaster's whip over their heads.
And yet, mount an animal Of this number.
less class, and afterwards throw the leg
over really broke or managed horse,
and the difference is likely to prove as
great as-speaking not so very wildly
between riding a horse and riding COW.
True it is, with persons who do not from
experience understand this riding is riding.
so long as il be on horseback; but a true
and expert horseman would as soon ride
donkey as an awkward, no-mouthed, no.
paced horse.
On all occasions it is consideration Of
moment to avoid alarming horse; and
although this applies to every hour of his
life, it is of greater consequence with
young than with aged horses; that is TO
| al n OF triH
objects. which. at future age they would
not notice.
i The control which we acquire over the
horse depends upon the mouth. and like
wise vast proportion of the agreeable or
disagreeable associations which render ex-
ercise on horseback pleasant or ,iresome
good mouth is the medium by which any
improvement in the natural carriage of an
animal is to be accomplished. When go.
ing at a slow pace, the way in which a
horse carries himself may. to very con-
siderable extent, be controlled; but when
at speed, or nearly approximating that
pace, his unrestrained action must prevail.
BY habit in the slow PAGES, improvement
in the faster ones may be slightly obtain
ed; but that must be brought about by very
moderate attempts, otherwise the action of
the animal, far from being corrected, will
inevitably be rendered worse. A horse
that bends himself nicely, is undoubtedly
more pleasant to ride than one which runs
with his nose down to his knees; or the re-
verse, with his head in rivalry with that OF
his rider; and sucn defects are, in most
cases, capable OF correction if properly
treated in juvenile days; but too much
constraint is adverse to pace both for ra-
cling and hunting. When a horse carries
his head too high. it may, in many in
4 stances, be remedied by using curb bit
without any port, but with rather long
cheeks, and the curb chain hung quite
loose. Accompanied with good hands,
this often produces an excellent effect.
especially with young horses, which are
disposed TO contend against the control oi
a martingale. II may appear as contra
diciion, but when a horse carries his head
too low,- curb bridle will often be found
the best remedy; and the contradiction is
CLEARED up by the remark. that it is the
way of adjusting and using the curb. thai
the difference of effect is produced. For
j the latter purpose, a short-cheehed bit
when udiciously used. will with many
SUBJECTS be found effectual; and, in order
Ito relder it so the hands must be raised
, higher shan usual at The precise instant
/. when the animal endeavors TO drop his
5 head; by this means the curb is brough
: Into action, but should be again released
r when proper position of the head is OBJ
v tanned. This should be particularly at
] tended 10, for such horses are very suhIec
to hang on the bit-an mperfection likely
S to Increase with age if not counteracted
' Although so far advocate the use OF double
rein or curb brides for certain purposes
F. let me not be misunderstood as recon
t mending them for general use; quite thu
4 reverse. horse with good mouth. car
e rying his head in the true position, neve
e goes so freely and pleasantly to himself
r as with a snafile bride; butt tits to teach thu
horse how to carry himself. that the curb il
: in many cases OF great utility.
e A really good hack is difficult creature
: TO procure. Not that there is great scar
0 city Of the raw MATERIAL but, unfortunate
J. ly il is only the raw material that can. il
2 many instances be obtained; this arises
r principally from want of care in bre aking
e 1t is presump,uous in people to suppose
r and subjects them TO ridicule when the,
!, assert. that they can complete the edacatioi
: Of colt as well in three weeks as in three
years; but there may be some few who d,
: not appreciate nicely-trained hack. ant
n ii is great pity when such an anima
D happens to get to their possession. Thos
Il who have the means only purchase sucl
horses as are thoroughly educated, or the.
e employ men of experience to break. ant
e cultivate the accomplishments Of theshors'
e which they either breed or buy. Of cours'
i they only select those Of goodlys appear
ance, with superior action; and no on'
e need despair Of making them agreeable t.
e ride. if they will unite patience with discre
! tion Such animals will always realize {
3 good price; but it requires time TO render
3 them perfect. To suppose that horse
can be educated. so as TO carry his ridel
}, with perfect comfort and pleasure. in three
weeks, or even three months, is ridiculous