98 How TO JUDGE A HORSil. 



tlie neck, at the same time giving liim tlie power to 

 move the head up and down with perfect ease. 

 In cases, where bitting is required only for the 

 purpose of suppling and developing the muscles 

 of the neck, this bridle should be used, as no horse 

 being geared in this bridle will be injured, in case 

 of falling backward. 



14 — BITTING THE COLT, (eOCKWELL). 



In placing the bitting bridle upon the colt, great 

 care should be taken not to buckle the straps tight 

 at first, as you might give pain, and alarm the ani- 

 mal. Be particular to have the throat-lash quite 

 loose, so that it will not choke him. Many horses 

 have been ruined by carelessness in this particular. 

 In gearing him up, care should be taken, that the 

 check is not too tight at first, lest he should, in rear- 

 ing, go over backward and fall on the top of his head. 

 Another reason is, that he will yield more readily to 

 the side reins. The checking up should be governed 

 by the length and form of the neck and shoulders. As 

 soon as the colt shows a disposition to yield, the bridle 

 should be removed or the straps loosened. This 

 should be done within at least five minutes from the 

 time it is put on. The oftener it is taken off and re 

 placed for the first three days, the better. Do not 

 however remove it while the colt is sulky and refus- 

 ing to move his head. A lesson here to be taught 



