278 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



foals of the smaller breeders which are made much of 

 when young, and which, probably, are run out in meadows 

 adjacent to the house, give less trouble when being 

 broken than those which have been permitted to lapse 

 into a semi-savage state. 



It is always well that a foal should be accustomed 

 from the first to wearing a head-collar ; so much so, 

 indeed, that if there is not sufficient supply of these to 

 go round all of the young stock, some of the latter should 

 wear them for a few days at a time, and then give them 

 up to their companions, to be returned in due course, 

 so that all may wear a head-collar in their turn. It is 

 bad enough to have to get a foal along if he has not been 

 accustomed to be led at the best of times, but the trouble 

 is increased a hundredfold if he is tormented by a head- 

 collar with the feel of which he is unfamiliar. 



All foals should be accustomed to be handled from 

 almost the very first. They will, of course, resent any 

 familiarities of the kind, but, as a rule, they will become 

 accustomed to have their heads and bodies stroked, 

 and the lessons will be made much easier for the attendant 

 if he gains the confidence of his charges by giving them 

 a scrap of bread to eat, or some delicacy they enjoy. 



When it comes to a matter of picking up the feet, 

 there is certain trouble ahead at first, as the foals dislike 



