7i8 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



with the bars of the mouth. If the head-stall is too short, the bars and 

 the corners of the mouth soon become sore and the animal may become 

 vicious; on the other hand, if it is too long the bit drops down in the 

 mouth and the animal becomes careless. With the bitting harness prop- 

 erly adjusted, turn the colt into the familiar open paddock to get used to 

 having the bit in his mouth. The check and side-reins should be left 

 slack at first. Gradually from day to day the reins should be shortened, 

 care being taken that they are never made so short as to place the head 

 in an uncomfortable position, or draw the bit so tightly as to make the 

 corners of the mouth sore. The colt should be subjected to the use of 

 this apparatus for a few hours each day for perhaps a week or less, de- 

 pending on the individual. The side-reins may now be substituted for 

 real lines and the colt driven until he knows how to guide this way and 

 that; to stop at the word " whoa," and to step forward at the command 

 " get up." Train the colt to stand absolutely still when you are harness- 

 ing, saddling or when it is desired that he should do so. A horse that is 

 continually stepping about while one is working with him is but half 

 trained at best. Be gentle about all these things, but go through with 

 everything that is undertaken. 



Harnessing the colt 



After the colt has become familiar with the bitting apparatus and has 

 learned to obey such simple commands as " whoa," " get up," and the 

 like, he may be harnessed. Do not use new harness, smelling of things 

 unfamiliar to the colt, but one that has been in constant use, preferably 

 by a horse that the colt knows. After being driven with the bitting 

 apparatus for a time and the colt is rather tired, put him in his stall, 

 bring the collar to him, let him smell of it if he likes, then put it right on 

 as if he were an old horse. Now get the harness, walk up to him and lift 

 it gently over his back. Do not stand ofif and throw the harness over his 

 back, for the loose straps hitting his back and abdomen will be resented 

 and he may kick. Walk behind him, put the crupper strap on, then step 

 to the side and fasten the bands. 



The harness should be of good quality and in good repair; if a part 

 breaks there may be trouble and the colt ruined for all time. See to it 

 that it fits perfectly. The collar should receive attention as it is through 

 this that the horse exerts his power. The colt's shoulders are likely to be 

 tender and easily abraded, and we must see that the collar fits perfectly. 

 The collar must be kept scrupulously clean. When the colt is fleshy, we 

 must watch to see that he does not lose flesh and the collar, which fitted 



