ILLUSTRATED GUTDE. 35 



wish him to do ; not driven to do what he does not know — 

 he cannot understand — while smarting under the lash. 



TEACHING A COLT TO BACK. 



Teaching the colt to back is the next operation, and is 

 a matter of great importance, as the future value of your 

 colt depends upon his being thoroughly broken. It should 

 be commenced while bitting the colt ; and before you ever 

 attempt to harness you should teach him to back prompt- 

 ly at the word, in the following manner. Have on bitting 

 bridle, stand in front and a little to the left of your colt, 

 your left hand on the bridle, in your right a little spring 

 top whip ; now give a quick pull on the bridle, at the 

 same moment a light blow on the nose with your whip, 

 and say, " back, sir," ease up on the bridle, your whip at 

 your right side, patting and caressing on the neck with 

 your right hand ; in a few moments try it again. By re- 

 peating this a few times he will learn what you mean by 

 saying " back, sir." 



SUBDUIN-G THE COLT. 



The plan for subjugating wild colts and vicious horses 

 has been experimented upon more than all other points in 

 horsemanship. At present there are five different modes 

 of operating, as follows : Mr. J. S. Rarey's plan of strapping 

 the foot; Messrs. Rockwell & Hurlbut's whirling until he 

 staggers 'or falls to the ground; Messrs. D. Magner & 

 Dudley claim to have an improvement upon the last named 

 by tying a loop in the end of his tail, taking the tie strap 

 of the halter, passing it through the loop, bringing his head 

 to his side, and tying it fast to the tail ; he then, with a bow- 

 top whip, steps behind the horse, cracks him sharp in the 

 quarters, and keeps him whirling until he falls. Another 



