TREATMENT OF THE COLT. 23 



of the bridle and can turn him about in any dii-ec- 

 tion, and stop him hy a gentle pull of the rein. 

 Always caress him, and loose the reins a little every 

 time you stop him. 



You should always be alone, and have your colt 

 in some light stable or shed the first time you ride 

 him ; the loft should be high, so that you can sit on 

 his back without endangering your head. You can 

 teach him more in two hours' time in a stable of tliis 

 kind, than you could in two weeks in the common 

 way of breaking colts, out in an open place. If you 

 follow my course of treatment, you need not run any 

 risk, or have any trouble in riding the worst kind of 

 horse. You take him a step at a time, until you get 

 up a mutual confidence and trust between yourself 

 and horse. First teach him to lead and stand 

 hitched ; next acquaint him with the saddle, and the 

 use of the bit ; and then all that remains is to get on 

 him without scaring him, and you can ride him as 

 well as any horse. 



HOW TO MOUNT THE COLT. 



First gentle him well on both sides, about the 

 saddle and all over, until he will stand still without 

 holding, and is not afraid to see you anywhere about 

 him. As soon as you have him well gentled, get a 

 small block about one foot or eighteen inches in 

 height, and set it down by the side of him, about 

 where you want to stand to mount him ; step up on 

 this, raising yourself very gently. Horses notice 

 every change of position very closely, and if you 



