BREAKING AND TRAINING. 173 



completed, to be pastured at night with his companions in 

 labour ; the daily meals to be partaken in the stable with his 

 associates, will gradually and pleasurably accustom him to the 

 chanfje. It is an almost universal custom on li^sjlit-land farms 

 to work a colt when two years old, and at three years old off 

 he generally constitutes one of an ordinary team. On stronger 

 soils, the commencement of labour is sometimes postponed for 

 six or twelve months longer. When put to work for the first 

 time, no coercion should be employed to make the colt draw ; 

 yoked with a team of steady old horses, and led for a short 

 time, he will soon take to the collar voluntarily. 



It must be noted, when treating of breaking and training, 

 that the stable management of the colt is not to be overlooked. 

 Gentle treatment, combined with firmness, is as essential in as 

 out of doors, and the teasing and teaching of tricks so often 

 practised by stablemen and boys should be rigidly prohibited. 

 Secure fastening up of the colt in the stable is another point 

 which should receive due attention, the halter and its attach- 

 ments being sufficiently strong and secure to prevent breaking 

 loose. 



If put beside other horses, care should be taken that these 

 are quiet and will not tease ; also that they have no bad habits 

 — such as crib-biting, weaving, biting, kicking in the stable, 

 etc., which are so often imitative. 



The trainer, or attendant, has to remember that to over- 

 work a young colt, either in training or when commencing to 

 work it, is unwise, as in addition to the danger of weakening 

 him, much fatigue often makes him apathetic, lazy, or even 

 vicious. The work should always be in proportion to his 

 strength. 



When animals do much work on roads — especially if these 

 are very hard and stony — their hoofs become broken and worn ; 

 these, therefore, require protection by iron shoes, and the 

 services of the farrier are needed to apply the latter. The 



