HORSEBREAKING EXTRAORDINARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3273, 19 July 1911, Page 8

HORSEBREAKING EXTRAORDINARY.

A new idea has been patented in New South Wales by Mr. F. Russell, who liad some experience in the handling ot young horses, oil a reasonably humane system. His process strikes one at first as being more spectacular than useful, and it is also somewhat clumsy. The results, however, are extremely satisfactory. The apparatus consists of a swinging arm, attached to an upright, and furnished with .pulleys, other specially-designed gear. From the end of the arm the breaker or handler is suspended. He wears a kind of harness, and by this is hooked to the arm. Swinging in a horizontal position, face downwards, he carries a rope, which serves as a lassoo. The colt is enclose in a small yard, and is driven under the breaker, who passes the rope over its head. Having secured the animal, the operator proceeds to handle his head and ears, and to pass canes over its body, and generally accustom it to the touch and close proximity of man. How colts would perform in an open yard, with no spectators present, may be difficult to decide. In the centre of a tent, with a crowd of curious sightseers peering* through the fence, the animals are strangely quiet. They appear to, as a rule, accept the handling from above without, much resistance, and in a very brief time the man, still suspended, can ride find lead a horse which has never been previously caught. At Bathurst show the other day a very nasty customer was put in the ring. He reared and fought at the man in the air with his fore feet’, and kicked like a mule whenever a stick or rope touched him. By gentle methods, however, the breaker soon had the colt subdued and easy to handle.—“Australasian.”