Horse Training. 719 



perfectly in the beginning, become too large. A breast collar is admissible 

 when the load is light. It must not -be adjusted so high as to choke the 

 horse nor so low as to interfere* with the action of his limbs. The saddle 

 and the crupper also need careful attention. Care should be taken to 

 have them fit, neither too loose nor too tight, and then to keep them clean 

 lest they abrade the back or tail and produce a vicious horse. 



Hitching double 



With the harness properly adjusted the colt is ready to be hitched to a 

 vehicle. Get a well-trained, gentle, but active horse if the colt is active, 

 for it is a mistake to hitch a quick, active colt with a slow, lazy horse. 

 The vehicle to which they are attached should be provided with a good 

 brake. The colt should be attached to the " off side " and they should be 

 driven at first in a closed field till the colt learns what is wanted of him. 

 When hitching the colt double for the first few times, it is well to keep 

 a pair of single lines on the colt's bridle which can be handled by an 

 assistant. 



Hitching single 



When the colt is desired for single use, it is often advisable to train 

 him to go single from the first. This may be done after he has become 

 familiar with the bit, harness, and use of the lines. When training the 

 colt to go single, a training cart — one with long shafts, substantially con- 

 structed, and the seat so arranged that the driver can get off and on 

 quickly — should be employed. Such a cart can easily be constructed 

 from the rear wheels and the axle of a buggy or carriage by fastening two 

 long poles, hickory or any tough, springy wood, to the axle, fastening a 

 cross-bar and whippletree in front, and a board seat in the rear. The 

 shafts should be twelve or fourteen feet long, with provision at the ends 

 for the attachment of a strap across from point to point to prevent the 

 colt in rearing from throwing his front leg over the end of the shaft. At 

 first a kick-strap attached to each shaft and passed over the colt's rump 

 should be used, at least till the colt is accustomed to the shafts. When 

 the colt is first hitched an assistant should hold him until the driver is 

 ready, then he should be allowed to go. As soon as he has become 

 familiar with the vehicle he should be compelled to stand still until he is 

 wanted to start. 



Training to mount 



In training a colt to mount one must be very careful that the colt does 

 not succeed in throwing the trainer, for if he once succeeds in getting the 



