HOW TO TRAIN A COLT. 205 



The colt now finds something on his legs, besides the 

 boots, which was not there before ; and it will alter his 

 way of going. He must be nicely handled now. You 

 must use all your observation and best judgment, with 

 a light but firm hold of the reins. In all probability, 

 he will trot square again with the rollers on ; and, as 

 soon as he does so, let him up for a little while. When 

 the broken gait shows, he must not on any account be 

 kept on without a change ; for, if he is, it may become 

 confirmed. On the other hand, I never like to let them 

 up until I have got them to trot square again ; for, if they 

 are so let up, they may not trot square again when their 

 work is resumed." 



There is another point of prime importance in driving 

 any horse, but especially a young one : it is the way you 

 handle the reins. Most drivers overdrive. They at- 

 tempt too much ; and, in so doing, distract or hamper 

 the horse. Now and then you find a horse with such a 

 vicious gait, that his speed is got from him by the most 

 artificial processes; but such horses are fortunately rare, 

 and hence the style of management required cannot 

 become general. The true way is to let the horse drive 

 himself, the driver doing little but directing him, and giv- 

 ing him that confidence Avhich a horse alone gets in him- 

 self when he feels that a guide and friend is back of him. 

 The most vicious and inexcusable style of driving is 

 that which so many drivers adopt; viz., wrapping the 

 lines around either hand, and pulling the horse backward 

 with all their might and main, so that the horse, in point 



