THE CARE OF HORSES 



213 



use of the halter is first necessary, and it may be put on at a 

 very early age, long before being weaned. Next, the colt 

 should be taught to stand tied. Some colts, especially of 

 the draft type, very readily adapt themselves to halter or 

 bridle, as well as to the harness and work. Light horses of 

 the hot-blooded sort, are not so easily educated. Prof. 

 Roberts, an old horseman, says:* 



"With rare exceptions, the colt on the farm is made usable if, for a 

 few hours each day for a week, he is subjected to the restraints of a 

 bitting harness in the open paddock. The check and side-rein should 



Figure 75. Putting the collar on the young horse for the first time. Photo- 

 graph by the author. 



be left slack at first. Gradually from day to day the reins may be 

 shortened; provided, however, they are never made so short as to place 

 the head in an uncomfortable position or draw the bit so tightly into the 

 corners of his mouth as to make them sore. After the bitting, the colt 

 may wear the harness and be driven with lines in the open field, without 

 being attached to a vehicle. The next step is to drive him for a few 

 hours each day by the side of a good-sized, staid, mature farm horse 

 attached to a farm wagon, which should be furnished with a brake. The 

 lesson of training should be continued without interruption until he 

 knows what is expected of him. When given the command Whoa!, 

 accompanied by a firm yet not rough pull on the lines, he should prompt- 

 ly stop. When the command "get up" is given, along with a slap of the 



*The Horse By Isaac Phillips Roberts, 1905. 



