Horse' Training. 



715 



necks are caused by this means. It is not necessary to drag a colt by 

 the halter in order to suggest to him that his business is to follow. As 

 a matter of fact, the reverse effect is usual, and the harder a colt is pulled 

 the harder he pulls back. If, on the contrary, he is coaxed along the 

 accustomed route, as to the water trough and back, he will soon follow 

 promptly. If he resents, however, other means must be tried. Do not 

 stand in front and try to pull his head off, for he will roll his eyes, shake 

 his head and step back. Take a small rope, the size of a light clothes 

 line, about ten feet long, tie a noose or fasten a ring on one end, place this 



Fig. 34 — Arrangement of halter and small rope for teaching the young 



colt to lead 



gently over the colt's back just in front of the hips with the noose or ring 

 on the under side of the body, so that when the other end of the rope is 

 run through the noose the rope can be closely drawn around the flanks; 

 pass the rope along under the body, then between the fore legs, then up 

 through the ring in the halter. Take the halter strap in one hand, the 

 light rope in the other, pull gently in the halter strap, and as the colt 

 begins to shake his head give the light rope a sharp pull and the colt will 

 immediately step forward. Do not be in a hurry, but give the colt time 

 to get used to the lesson. Soon he will follow wherever you lead. 



