68 RIDING 



a timid horse ; besides, if he happens to get his heel over it, a 

 chain makes as a rule a much worse wound than leather or 

 hemp does. I also prefer a large wooden log to the small cast- 

 iron ones one sometimes sees in use. Some young horses get 

 into the habit of playing with the log, and the result is often 

 swollen fetlocks, which I do not think are so often produced 

 when wooden logs are used. 



This much having been done in the box, remove the colt 

 to a stable to stand amongst other horses. At first put him in 

 a corner stall as far as possible from the entrance door, so that 

 he may not be annoyed by being passed by every one that 

 comes into the stable ; or, better still, into the stall next to the 

 corner, that is, supposing there is plenty of room and a stall on 

 each side can be spared. I have seen many promising young 

 troopers ruined as far as appearance goes through being put up 

 without a spare stall between each, owing to shortness of room; 

 they learn to kick the post on either side and cap their hocks, 

 making them most unsightly. The worst of it is, that when a 

 horse takes to this sort of amusement, although it must cause 

 him a considerable amount of pain every time he kicks, he per- 

 sists in doing it even if you place him a stall or two away from 

 any other horse. The best thing to do is, as before stated, 

 to have a spare stall on either side at first ; or if for want of 

 room you have been unfortunate enough to allow your horse 

 to acquire the habit, put him right away into a box by himself 

 until he forgets it. 



It would be well now that the horse should be accustomed 

 to stand with a roller on. It assists in getting rid of the barrel 

 which young horses frequently have before beginning to work, 

 and is also a preliminary step to the saddle which is to come 

 hereafter. In putting on the roller great care is required. A 

 pad or cloth of some kind should be put on under it to protect 

 the horse's back, and the roller should be laid quietly over it, 

 care being taken that the end of the roller while loose does not 

 touch the horse's fore legs, or it will very likely upset him. The 

 man should stand on the near side of the horse, and gradually 



