38 . 



the side straps very short, and then turning him out 

 in a pasture field, is not only cruel, but it gives a 

 very ungraceful stiffness to the horse's neck. How 

 often it has been the case where horses, turned out in 

 such a position, have reared and thrown themselves 

 upon the ground, struck the head upon a log, stone 

 or some other hard substance, and lost their life ! In 

 the first place, put your cord around your horse's 

 neck, and into the mouth, just as recommended for 

 bitting the colt. Lead your horse out of the stable ; 

 let your cord be about fifteen feet in length ; take 

 your whip in the right hand ; touch him lightly on 

 the quarters with the whip, and occasionally give 

 him a pull with the cord, but in doing so, if he should 

 attempt to approach you, wave your whip to keep 

 him the proper distance ; and as often as he drops 

 his head, give him a sudden pull with your cord, 

 which will cause him to keep his head in a proper 

 position. Give him a lesson of this kind about fif- 

 teen minutes each day for three or four days, after 

 which get prepared a heavy surcingle. This is placed 

 around your horse with a crotch made the same as 

 the end of a common sawbuck. This is fastened, 

 and placed on the top of the surcicle and riveted fast, 

 leaving the top ends about two feet above the horse's 

 back, with inch buckles attached. Your bridle is 

 now put on with open reins, the end of each fastened 

 to the buckles above. Have no side reins, but lead 

 him out with your cord, as before. When he at- 

 temp'ts to crowd on the bit, a little pull will put him 



