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What is good for man is good for the horse ; they need the 

 same care and treatment. This method, you must understand, 

 I mean for work horses. 



Question, How do you teach a horse to back ? 



A7iswer. ^\xt on the '< G-leason Bridle,'^ drawing the strap 

 in your right hand, and stand at the horse's shoulder ; press 

 your left hand upon his neck ; use the words '^ back, sir,'' and 

 pull the strap at the same time. This will give the horse a 

 severe jerk in the mouth and he will back four or five inches. 

 The moment that he does so caress him and teach him that he 

 has done right. Then repeat the lesson again and again, until 

 shortly the horse will back any distance for you at the word of 

 command. Some colts will be very stubborn and fight you for 

 five or ten minutes ; but keep at them, always having plenty of 

 patience, and at last you will gain your point. 



Question. Tv^nat do you think of bitting a colt? 



Anstuer. ii nature has not designed the colt to have a high 

 head and carriage no art of man can alter it, and the old fashion 

 of strapping up the neck in an unnatural position and leaving 

 it there for hours, in nine cases out of ten, results in a heavy 

 headed lugger on the bit. I do not believe or endorse the 

 working of the old-fashioned bitting reins. I simply use the 

 Gleason Bridle, teaching the colt to turn his head quickly 

 to the right and left, stopping at the word ^^whoa." I 

 then take and put on an ordinary open bridle and straight 

 bar bit, teaching him to guide by line quickly and easily ; 

 working in this way with a colt for three or four days, 

 then you can put on the check rein and check him up to 

 his natural position. The next day you can check him a 

 little higher, and the next day a little higher yet ; then you 

 understand that the horse generally elevates his head, works 

 pleasantly upon the bit, and you are not getting him mad nor 

 breaking down his constitution by forcing and straining him 

 with the old-fashioned bitting reins. 



