BREAKING-IN!

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 October 1914, Page 2

BREAKING-IN!

AAIONG THE YOI'.NG HORSES. The boys had just come down from Boonara with a Ime lot of fat cattle, but principal amongst their charges was a do/en yyung horses, which in the next few days had to> be broken in. They were mostly bays and browns, but there was one dark, tall, well-formed horse that looked as though he could gallop. All the youngsters had rough coats, for from the day they were foaled they had been in the real bush, away from the regular haunts of civilisation. . i The next day an early start was made for the horse paddock, where the youngsters had been put the previous night. Four of them were selected, and they were driven off towards the company dip. They went quietly—so quietly as to almost convince one that there was no devilment lurking amongst them, and that the breaking-in process would be of the simplest, order. The company dip was '.selected in view < f the fact that there was a splen- j did stockyard—well built fences and ground not too hard to come in contact with. It was all very well getting the animals into the yard with the aid of the horses we were riding, hut when we dismounted, and commenced the saddling-up process then the fun commenced. A plan of campaign was thought out, and a nice-looking bay was selected for the first experiment. Into a smaller yard he as tactfully driven, but a flying pair of hoofs warned us to keep clear. Little more manoeuvring is necessary, and he was cajoled, driven, and hustled till he entered the narrow crush. Then someone smartly slipped a pole through the rails, and the first difliculty was overcome. Then the young bay had to be taught to get used to the feel of a human hand on his body ;at first he showed a decided disinclination ; "nut gradually he found nothing harmful. The next act was to get a halter on, and this proved by no means insuperable, for bin fling seems to lie a great thing with horses. I As soon as the halter was fixed up, a lengthy rope, for use as a rein, was attached—the polo was slipped away, and jiito the yard dashed the bay. It was then the fun increased, for as soon as the horse felt the chafing of the halter, and the drag of the ropes, out clattered the hoofs, and dust and grit. Hew in all directions. It meant a general scatter, and only Dick, who had the rein, was left with the youngster. We others adjourned to the top rails, and sympathised c?) with Dick, as his arm was occasionally almost jerked out of its socket. Hound and round the small square of the yard flashed the horse, with the wouldbe breaker-in hanging on, and pivoting on his heel. As soon as it was considered the bay had been sufliciently quietened, he was introduced to the flag. This latter consisted of a sugar bag tied on to a lift, stick, which was brushed over the horse, the operator keeping a wary eye open for a sudden turn of those lightning-like feet. However, with the horse's head securely fast-

ened to the top rail, not much dam-

age could be done. Tliis little stage of the proceed ings over, the saddling up commenced, and the actual work, with a rider, was next to be faced. For this, .Jim took off his heavy boots, and donning a lighter pair, gave his belt an extra, tighten up, and with a smile prepared for , the fray. He was a typical Aus- / trulian, with a well kn.it figure, a sun-tanned face. and clear-looking eyes that bespoke a life away from the close distances of cities. With a firm grip of the reins, and the mane, he lightly vaulted into the saddle, but the next second he was I hanging on like grim death above a | whirling mass of horseflesh. There | were pigroots and bucks of all sorts but still the rider kept his seat, and smiled back at our roars of laughter. H was for him no doubt a good cure for liver complaint—if he had any— I While for us, we were certain of i '•corporations" in the future, if the i j old adage, "Laugh and grow fat " j ! were true. Yet, with all the fun j and humour of the breaking-in, the serious work was got through, and by the time the horse was finished with he was content to quietly walk around the yard. And what impressed one was the great patience and kindness of these bush "boys." Another half dozen horses were broken in during the week for stock work, and yet each and everyone received Hie same treatment. Never ()'(■•■ wi<; a sm'r or whip hkol. -.m,i i after years repaid their efforts by the faithful work of the goo.l old Stuck horse!—"JLW'isliane Daily Mail."