80 THE HOESE OWNER's 



the word whoa, which brings him to a stop. A lesson of 

 two or three hours each day, for three or four days, turning 

 him in different directions, to stop and go at the word, im- 

 pressing upon his mind that you are his superior, and can 

 control him at pleasure, and he is ready for hitching in har- 

 ness the first time. 



HITCHING THE COLT TO WAGON THE FIRST 

 TIME. 



In hitching the colt to wagon the first time, we think it 

 a far better and safer plan to hitch him in double harness, 

 beside a well broken horse, also on the off side, — -and why ? 

 The first handling your colt receives has been mostly upon 

 the near side : consequently, he being on the off side, and 

 the broken horse on the near side, where the colt has re- 

 ceived his first lesson, he would not be as apt to scringe 

 as he would, be to place the broken horse on the off side. 

 Again : should an accident occur, to cause you to jump 

 from your wagon, it would be more natural for you to 

 jump to the near side, and in stopping your team it is more 

 natural to get out on the near side. The harness being on 

 both horses, you will now proceed to hitch them to wagon. 

 In doing this it will be necessary to have some one to assist 

 you; let your assistant lead the broken horse to the near side 

 of the pole ; next place your colt at the off side ; let the per- 

 son helping you, hold the colt by the head while you are 

 buckling the reins, hitching the tugs, and placing the web- 

 bing, or long line, to the ankle of the left forward foot. 

 Perhaps it would be better to buckle a short strap around 

 the pastern, with ring attached, to guard against chafing. 

 To be more fully understood, we will explain how it is 

 made : take a soft leather strap, one inch and a half wide, 

 and ten inches long, with the inside edges shaved thin ; 



