22 The Management and Treatment of the Horse, 



and then is the time to use a little judgment. I should 

 not want myself more than three-quarters of an hour to 

 handle any kind of colt, and have him running about 

 in the stable after me. I would advise a new beginner 

 to take more time and not to hurry ; if there is but one 

 colt, and it is not particular what time you expend, and 

 have not had experience in handling colts, I would ad- 

 vise such to take Mr Powell's method, which he says 

 takes from four to six hours. But, as I want to accomplish 

 the same, and teach him to be led in less than one hour, 

 I shall give you a much quicker process of accomplish- 

 ing the same end. When you have entered the stable, 

 stand still, and let the horse look at you for a minute 

 or two, and as soon as he is settled in one position, 

 approach him slowly with both arms stationary, your 

 right hand hanging by your side, holding the whip as 

 directed, the left bent at the elbow with the hand pro- 

 jecting. As you approach it, go not too near to its 

 head or its croup, so as not to make it move either 

 forward or backward. Step a little to the right or left 

 cautiously ; this will keep it in one place. As you get 

 very near draw a little to his shoulder and stop a few 

 seconds ; if you are within reach it will turn its head 

 and smell your hand. As soon as it touches its nose 

 to your hand caress it as before directed, always using 

 a very light soft touch, always rubbing the same 

 way the hair lies, so that your hand will pass along as 

 smoothly as possible. As you stand by its side you 

 may find it more convenient to rub its neck or the side 

 of its head, which will answer the same purpose as 

 rubbing its forehead. Favour every inclination of the 



