322 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



caressing him when obedient ; and whatever gait he is 

 performing, on no account allow him to depart from it, 

 as it is only by strict attention to the action wanted 

 that he will learn to be correct in his paces. If he 

 happens to hold his head too low, shake the cavesson, 

 to remind him to raise it ; but be sure always to 

 adopt one mode of directing his attention to any 

 particular thing required. All his lessons should 

 be short, the pace should be kept distinct and 

 perfect in each, and he should be rewarded for atten- 

 tion and obedience by handfuls of corn and caresses. 

 When the colt becomes tractable and obedient in all 

 his lessons, crupper-straps, or something similar, 

 should be attached to his clothing to accustom him to 

 it, that he may not be afterwards tickled and become 

 restive by the rider's coat-tails. A few days will suffice 

 to make him endure this patiently, because when he 

 finds that he suffers no harm from them, he soon 

 becomes reconciled to them. 



The regular riding-bit should now be applied to 

 his mouth. It ought to be large and smooth, to which 

 should be attached the reins, buckled to a ring on 

 either side of the pad. The reins ought to be flat and 

 allowed to be slack, and gradually tightened. The 

 trainer should occasionally stand in front of the animal, 

 and take hold of each side-rein near to the mouth, 

 gently press upon it, and thus begin to teach him to 

 back and stop by the pressure of the rein, always re- 

 warding obedience, but gently punishing him by a 

 slight jerk when obstinate. 



The colt should now be taken to the street, or road, 

 and led about, to accustom him to meet carts and 

 other objects without starting and shying ; but if he 

 does start or shy, he should not be allowed to pass on, 

 but ought to be quietly led up to the object of his 



