210 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



No horse l)roken by inaiii-strength and brute-force is quite safe for a 

 woman to ride or drive, unless she be a complete horsewoman. The 

 more wilful of them are never safe for any woman to drive. A horse 

 carefully trained, however, is always safe for a woman to drive, if she be 

 not especially nervous, and has accustomed herself to the guidance of 

 horses ; the only exceptions being such animals as by defective organiza- 

 tions are naturally vicious, cowardly, timid from imperfect sight, or 

 tainted with insanity. These defects have already been mentioned in 

 the chapter on breeding, under the head of heredity. 



rv. First Lessons. 



As before stated, the first lesson to be imparted is that of reliance on 

 the will of the master. This lesson in obedience should be given at 

 weaning time, or when the colt is first haltered to be stabled. If it has 

 been haltered, as recommended, when quite young, there will be no resist- 

 ance. If this has not been done, tiie colt must be driven into a confined 

 space where it cannot escape. Take the halter in both hands, and keep 

 liolding it to the colt until it will touch it with the nose. Do not hurry. 

 The important thing here is to show the animal that there is nothing dan- 

 gerous about a halter. When the colt ceases to fear, place the halter on 

 the head quickly, and fasten it. If it show no serious fear, tie it up at 

 once. If it seems frightened, allow it to wear the halter a little time 

 before tying up. When you fasten it, do so securely, for at some time 

 or other it will try to break away. When this occurs, halter and strap 

 should be strong enough to resist every effort. When it ceases to pull, 

 it is thoroughly halter-wise, so far as standing quietly is concerned. It 

 will have ceased forever to pull at the halter simply to free itself. 

 V. Learning To Lead. 



The next lesson before the colt is learning to lead. You should have a 

 small yard, into which you can take the colt. Provide yourself with a 

 light switch, and also with a line about ten feet long, to be tied to the end 

 of the halter. Let the colt play around in a circle, if it chooses, for a 

 time. Approach him gently, take the halter by the nose-band with the 

 left hand, while holding the switch in the right hand. If the colt rear, 

 support yourself with the right hand, by grasping the top of the neck to 

 keep the colt down. Use no undue violence. Do not strike it. When 

 it gets through floundering, it will thereafter be quiet. Next take the 

 halter in the right hand, and bid the colt go on. If it refuse, tap it 

 uncler the belly wnth the switch, until it moves. If it rears again, again 

 subdue it. So continue until it moves forward. Then talk to it, and 

 pet it, and it will soon lead kindly, turning to the right or left at will 



