Horse Training. 



7K 



manner in which the horse is educated to them will go far towards deter- 

 mining his usefuhiess. Inasmuch as the conveyance of the master's 

 desire to the horse's mind for execution is through the hands, reins, bit 

 and mouth, no progress can be made and none should be attempted until 

 this means of communication has been established. 



Importance of a good mouth. No factor contributes so much to the 

 pleasure, comfort and safety of either rider or driver as a responsive 

 mouth in a horse — one that always obeys promptly the slightest instruc- 

 tion from the master. A good mouth to a large extent is natural to the 

 horse. Tender and bad mouths usually result from improper handling. 

 Bad mouths are very aggravating and often the cause of many other 



Fig. 36 — Arrangement of bilCing harness 



imperfections — tongue lolling, crossing the jaws, hobbling, irregular and 

 unsteady gaits and the like — many of which when well established are 

 very difficult to overcome. 



Bitting the colt. The young animal can usually be made familiar with 

 the uses of the bit by the application of the bitting harness or " dumb 

 jockey " as it is sometimes called. This bitting harness consists of an 

 open bridle with a large, smooth bit and check-rein, a surcingle and crup- 

 per and two side lines running from the bit to buckles on either side of 

 the surcingle. The adjustment of the bridle is important. The length 

 of the head-stall must be so adjusted as to bring the bit in mild contact 



