HOW TO TRAIN A HORSE. 



215' 



other had ceased ; in less than twenty minutes each of the colts, ex- 

 hausted, allowed the hand of the master to be placed on the nose, and 

 himself to be gently fondled. 



Standing a short distance before the colt, with a flexible whip in hand 

 and a cord attached to the ring of the halter, the men still holding the 

 ends of the rope, but slack, I bade the colt come forward, tapping it on 

 the knee after every word, with the end of the whip. The colt did not 

 fear the master, only the assistants, and soon first one, and then the 

 other, came foirward promptly, and within an hour would follow like a 

 dog. 



They were led home and put in the stable. The next day they were 

 bitted, and their training proceeded steadily. Within a week each of them 

 was ridden, and in ten days they were harnessed together and driven. 

 They were broken, during the season, to light driving under sharp curb- 

 bits, accustomed to various odd sights, and having first been rendered 

 submissive to the voice and will of the master, never showed fear that 

 could not be quieted by a word. 



Xni. Handling a Vicious Colt. 



Some colts are naturally vicious. The head of such an animal is rep- 

 resented in one of the illustrations given with Chapter IV. If you un- 

 fortunately have one, get him into a close stall, fasten him securely in, 

 halter him and get him in the yard, using ropes to the halter-ring, not 

 less than twenty feet at each end. After he has struggled and exhausted 

 himself, proceed to make him lie down. This can be done in the follow- 

 ino- manner. Have ready a strong bridle with a snaffle-bit, and put it 

 on him ; also fasten around the refractory youngster a good ])added sur- 

 cingle, with a strap for the fore leg having a loop that will draw tight 

 around the fetlock. Raise the leg, l)uckle the end of the strap securely 

 around the arm^ and you have him so he cannot kick. Fasten a longer strap 

 with a similar loop, but no buckle, around the off fetlock ; pass the end 

 under the surcingle, taking the end in the right hand, while theleftgrasps 

 the bridle by both reins ; cast off the hampering ropes, and as the horse 

 rears to free himself, pull tight the strap that has been passed under the sur- 

 cino-le, and when he comes down it will be on the knees. As he strug- 

 gles, press his head from you, by pulling the off rein tight over his neck, 

 and he will fall over on the side. When he gives up entirely, and lies 

 still, the horse should be fondled, the straps taken off, and after a time, 

 ne should be allowed to rise. If not entirely subdued, the same thing 

 must be gone over again. 



This is essentially Mr. Rarey's plan. It need never be resorted to ex- 

 cept under extraordinary circumstances, and the operator must have 



