THE HORSE. 769 



gradually, permitting him first to smell of it and touch it with his nose. Animals, especially 

 the horse, depend much upon the sense of smell in becoming acquainted with objects about 

 them, and, having once in this way become familiar with things, they will rarely ever be 

 afraid of them afterwards. 



The harness should fit him loosely at first, until he becomes a little accustomed to it, 

 when it can be gradually tightened. He should first be allowed to stand an hour or so with 

 the harness on, after which he can be led about, and thus become used to it while walking. 

 Nothing should ever be done to frighten or worry him, but at the same time he should be 

 taught to yield to his trainer by firmness and kindness. When being led about, he should 

 occasionally be stopped at the place of unharnessing, and allowed to stand about the length 

 of time that would be required to remove or put on the harness; by this means he will learn 

 to stand quietly for this purpose. This should be repeated for several days in succession 

 until this lesson is thoroughly learned. After this he can be taught to obey the motion 

 of the reins. It is a good plan, also, to accustom him to pressure against the breast and 

 shoulders by fastening strong cords or straps into each side of the collar, and by pulling, 

 gently at first, cause him to use his strength to pull against it; by this means he will get an 

 idea of drawing. 



The sulky is much the best vehicle to use in breaking a colt. It should be light, but it 

 is important that it have very strong shafts. After becoming accustomed to the harness, and 

 before being attached to the sulky, the colt should first be led up to it, and, by smelling of it 

 and touching it with his nose, learn that it is nothing from which he has any cause to fear. 

 He may then be attached to it, which should be done as quietly and carefully as possible. 



Some prefer to have the colt at this point in breaking driven with another horse. If the 

 latter method is practiced, the horse should be one of the most gentle and submissive, also 

 one the colt has been accustomed to be with. We have always been accustomed to drive a 

 colt singly while breaking, and prefer -this method. Everything about the harness and sulky 

 should be very strong, that no accident may be liable to occur, for if the colt should chance 

 to break away he would never forget it, and would be liable to be a runaway at any period 

 of his after-life. 



The method we have found most successful is to attach the old farm horse, with whom 

 the colt is well acquainted, (or it may be his dam,) to a wagon, and have this team start in 

 front of him slowly, keeping a few yards in advance of the colt team. In this way he will 

 more readily understand what is required of him, and be more willing to follow where he 

 has such company to lead. It will often be found that when a turn in the road may chance 

 to hide the forward team from sight for a moment, the colt will whinny anxiously, and hasten 

 his gait to catch up. 



Teach a horse to depend much upon the voice, which should never be harsh and abusive. 

 By this we do not mean to be understood that we favor the custom of such as are constantly 

 shouting and talking to a horse while driving. We have seen some drivers that we would 

 gladly have seen gagged, or their voice stopped by some other effectual means, and whose con 

 stant &quot;whoas,&quot; &quot;get ups,&quot; &quot;take cares,&quot; and similar commands and countermands were 

 enough to puzzle and disgust any animal, as well as human beings. A quiet driver is always 

 the best driver, but when he does speak, he should be understood and obeyed. 



The horse should be taught the meaning of but few words, yet these he should learn 

 thoroughly, and when they are spoken to him, he should learn to heed them. By this means 

 many a serious result to an accident or fright of the animal may be prevented. A horse 

 who knows his master s voice, and is accustomed to obey it, and who feels that his master is 

 his protector and friend, will be much more likely to stop at his word, when frightened, than 

 one who has learned to fear his master s voice and lash, when anything unusual happened. 



If there is any tendency in a colt to balk, let him stand a few moments, and then by 



