28 Curb, Snaffle, and Spur. 



lesson the man should do very little beyond 

 letting the colt go quietly forward in a walk. 

 Unless something frightens the animal, it is not 

 probable that it will show any misconduct. If, 

 after a few minutes, all goes well, the rider should 

 quietly dismount, and resume the exercises upon 

 the longe-line. Upon the second time of mount- 

 ing, the same precaution should be taken ; and on 

 each succeeding day the time during which the 

 man is on the colt's back may be gradually 

 extended, depending upon its strength and con- 

 duct. Perhaps on the fourth or fifth time that it 

 is mounted, the novelty of the situation having 

 worn off, the colt may take notice of surrounding 

 things, and if an excuse may be found in a bark- 

 ing dog, a flying bird, or some such matter, it 

 may pretend to be frightened, and give a few 

 plunges. If the rider will gently keep up its head, 

 and let it go forward in any slow pace or action 

 it will take, the colt will be convinced that it has 

 gained nothing by its efforts, and will not be 

 likely to repeat its misconduct except under some 

 provocation. Gradually the trainer will take 

 more command over the movements of the horse, 

 turning it to the right or the left, bringing it to a 



