34 



tached to the foot, and if he attempts to make a 

 wrong move, the word whoa^ and a pull at the strap, 

 will make all right. Bear in mind, however, that 

 there is a great difference in the temper and intelli- 

 gence of colts, some being quick to learn, while others 

 are very stupid. Remember that the more dull and 

 stupid the subject, the more need of patience and 

 perseverance, always bearing in mind that you are a 

 man, and are dealing with a dumb brute — that if 

 you are not capable of controlling yourself, you cer- 

 tainly are not capable of controlling a poor dumb 

 brute. Your colt will now allow you to mount and 

 dismount at pleasure. You cannot expect him to be 

 handy to the rein until after he is properly bitted, 

 which is the next step with the colt. 



Sitting tlie Colt. 



When I speak of bitting the colt, I do not expect 

 the first lesson to give a lofty, easy, graceful carriage 

 of the head ; it requires some few days driving to so 

 develop the muscles of the neck to carry it easy and 

 graceful without tiring him. The first lesson in bit- 

 ting is to educate him to come to the rein quick and 

 handy ; that is readily accomplished by the use of 

 what is denominated a Mexican tie, which is simply 

 a cotton or hemp cord. 



Mr. Tidball, the originator of this, used a hair cord, 

 but finding that too severe for a colt with a very sen- 

 sitive mouth, I concluded the cotton or hemp better ; 

 cotton is preferable. Now, dear reader, let me say 



