264 1'IVE STOCK MANAGEMENT. 



hours will be sufficient for the first lesson. Kind treatment 

 and considerate driving will accomplish a great deal in a 

 short period of time. The colt should receive his lessons 

 each day until thoroughly accustomed to driving. Should he 

 show any inclination to shy, do not use the whip after he 

 has passed the same, as it always does more harm than good. 

 Some people object to leading a colt past a strange obstacle. 

 This is something which oftentimes can be done to advan- 

 tage. It is not good policy, however, to always lead an 

 animal by anything which in any way appears to scare it. 

 Sooner or later the animal must learn to pass by such 

 obstacles of its own accord. It is much better policy 

 to lead a colt past something of that kind than to try to 

 whip him by it. In getting a colt accustomed to electric 

 cars, steam cars and other such obstacles, do not take him 

 too close the first time. Gradually drive him a little closer 

 each time, until he finally learns that it will not in any way 

 harm him, thus he will stand real close without any fear. 



Should the colt get his tail over the line, do not pull on 

 the line. By so doing you will teach him to grip it, thus 

 cause much trouble. Just slacken the line and usually you 

 can get it free without any trouble. 



In teaching the colt to back when hitched, do it in much 

 the same manner as when driving with the lines. Be care- 

 ful, however, not to expect him to back too quickly. 



After the colt has been driven and you wish to unhitch 

 him, never do up the lines first, then the tugs and last the 

 holdbacks. Always do up the tugs first, then the holdbacks, 

 and lastly, the lines. Then should he start to run you will 

 always have something to catch and prevent him. In hitch- 

 ing him double the same care and precaution is necessary. 

 It is best to hitch him with some well broken horse that is 

 a good walker and a free driver. Never hitch him with a 

 lazy horse that has to be whipped up all the time. Hitching 

 a colt with a lazy horse which requires the constant use of 

 the whip, will nine times out of ten ruin it. 



If colts are of good size, and especially those belonging 

 to the draft class, they may do some light work very soon 

 after being broken. In fact they will learn just as fast, and 

 can be taught to do a great many things while doing light 

 work. Light horses or colts which are bred for trotting or 

 coach purposes can oftentimes be made to do a certain 

 amount of light work without any injury. In teaching the 



