36 



hand, passing it from the fingers towards the wrist, 

 barely passing the knot on the end through ; with 

 the right hold firmly upon the end, and the loop 

 which was left hanging when you passed the end 

 three inches through ; withdraw your left hand, and 

 with it take hold of the main rope and draw the knot 

 tight. You may think the directions for tying this 

 knot rather a complicated affair, but study the in- 

 structions given carefully, and you will have but little 

 difl&culty ; however, if you should fail in the first 

 attempt, try again ; two or three times trj^ing, you 

 will succeed. The small loop is not used for bitting, 

 but as you will see, is used for different purposes in 

 handling the horse. Now for the other end of the 

 cord as used for bitting. Take the other end of the 

 cord, pass it around the neck of the colt, about mid-, 

 way between the ears and shoulder, and get the size 

 of the neck, then remove from the neck, and tie a 

 bow-line knot, the same as directions for small loop ; 

 now slip it over the colt's head, and back on his neck 

 as far as practicable ; with your right hand take hold 

 of the cord about eighteen inches below the neck, 

 and carry it through between the loop and neck for- 

 ward, and place the running loop so formed into the 

 colt's mouth ; now you have him in the position for 

 bitting. Take hold of the cord that hangs down from 

 the loop around the neck, in your right hand ; step 

 directly in front of the colt, place your left hand 

 upon his nose, gently pull upon the cord with your 

 right hand ; with your left press against his nose. 



