The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-21
Breaking i'm a Thoroughbred
TAll the Year Round.1

When the young Spankaway is sold by
the breeder, he is duly handed over to the
racing stables in which his purchaser
trains, and it is at this stage that the
evils of the making up" process have to
be grapplcd with. The colts sent to the
trainer by private breeders are in na,
tural condition for work, but the fatt"d
prize animals "made up" for sale require
a preliminary course before they can be
put through their PAGES. One of the
first proces es undertaken by the trainer
is the getting rid of some fat that his
breeding has deposited on young Spanka-
ways ribs. TO that end lie begins to
break him, and give him gentle exercise.
The early processes of breaking may be
watched any morning on the Severals,
and other convenient spots at Newman
ket The breaker always dad" of un-
certain age, but of approved temper and
experience, puts saddle and bride on the
shy. skittish young creature, and by the
aid of leading-rein gradually teaches
him to trot and canter round in obedi
ence to his bride, and thus gradually
"makes his mouth" as it is called. This
is an operation of the greatest delicacy,
especially in the first lessons, as it is dur
ing this part of a young racers cduca-
ton that awkward habits are contracted.
Perfect patience and kindiiness are re-
quired from the horse-breaker, who must
above all things, avoid frightening
or startling his charge. The slight
est accident startles young thorough
bred. l have seen a stampede among
troop of a dozen of them brought
about by a sudden puff OF wind. BY
degrees the timid creatures are brought,
by frequent handling and working them
with the bride, to partially tame con-
dition. When they are comparatively
quiet, and their mouths partly made, the
best of the training boys is "put up"
This is another stage of education which
requires the greatest care; to be trusted
on the back of a yearling, a boy must
have rare patience as we'll as courage
FTis "mount" must be coaxel into com
pliance, not coerced into obedience
This is >only the general rule with al
high-bred animals. A greyhound is ru
lined by an early overdose of whip, JUS
as the mouth and temper of horse may
be destroyed by heavy-hande /, ill
tempered lout. The very best boys
therefore, are selected for mounting th'
youngsters, who, that they may becom'
somewhat accustomed to the burden, ar
led about for a while before they ar
turned loose.
4 At last young Spankaway is let g
without lead, but in company with
steady old. horse, whom he will folloy
about like a lamb, and thus gradual.
gain confidence. Half the "tricks," y
they are called, of horses arise from thei
timidity y, which is only to be removed b.
\ patient, gentle treatment in their youth
With an experienced boy on his back
the yearling, whose nature is kindly AM
imitative, not only follows the old hors
willingly enough, but by degrees learn
his PAGES from him; to walk with tha
magnificent gait of the thorough bred; t
trot very little; to canter, and finally t
gallop-for colt requires teaching hi
1 PAGES quite as much as aIchiid, and ha
4 less time to learn them in.