BREAKING COLTS. 263 



axle, to which he may attach two poles to act as shafts. 

 These poles or shafts should be long enough so that should 

 the colt kick he will not in any way hit the cross bar or get 

 his feet over the same. A seat should be placed on the 

 cart and then it is ready for use. While this may not look 

 so nice as a regular breaking cart, it oftentimes answers a 

 very good purpose and will save the breaking of a good 

 buggy or other vehicle which is not intended to be used for 

 breaking colts. 



An open bridle is best, for when broken with an open 

 bridle the colt will usually go all right with the blinders. 

 Always start a colt with an easy bit, for a severe bit that 

 will irritate the mouth will oftentimes make him misbehave 

 when otherwise he will go all right. 



When first hitching a colt always use a harness with a 

 breeching, so that he will get used to it along with the other 

 harness. Before hitching a colt in the cart it is best to put 

 a set of hopples on him. These can easily be made by taking 

 a set of straps, which should be strong and large enough to 

 pass around the fetlock. These straps should have rings in 

 them. To the rings attach a rope about twelve feet long. 

 Pass the rope from each one of these straps up through the 

 girth and back to the seat. This will be found to be very 

 helpful in case anything should go wrong and the colt should 

 become unmanageable so far as reining him by the bit is 

 concerned. Should anything happen just pull up on the rope 

 and you will bring him down on his knees, and thus prevent 

 him running. He should not be pulled up too severely, as 

 sometimes by so doing you may bruise or skin his legs. 

 This will also be found to be very helpful in teaching the 

 colt to stand, as he will soon discover that you have a power 

 over him which makes it impossible for him to get away. 



When hitching the colt for the first time be as careful 

 as possible not to frighten him in any way, as much of the 

 success depends upon the first time he is driven. As soon 

 as the colt is gotten into the shafts and everything is securely 

 fastened, get on the seat and start him off as quietly as 

 possible. Should he attempt to run or do anything out of 

 place, a gentle pull on the hopples will soon convince him 

 that he is under your control. Keep him at a moderate 

 speed, stopping occasionally. Also teach him to walk. Be 

 sure and do not give him too long a lesson the first time. 

 Many people make a great mistake in this respect. Two 



