THE SOFT TAMER. 93 



stand on three legs for five minutes. There is no harm in the 

 lying down if the place is suitable, but there must be a great, 

 strain on the muscles to compel a colt to do so. After the 

 wisping get a piece of cloth or sacking about two feet square, 

 and after taking it to the colt's muzzle, rub it over his head and 

 body. Then beat him with it as with a duster, at first gently, 

 but getting harder and harder until he will allow you to swing it 

 round forcibly and bring it rapidly down on any part of his body 

 or legs. This he will submit to in a few minutes, and you will 

 find it save a lot of time and trouble in all your future handling. 

 A colt that has been well dusted, and completely gentled by this 

 operation, will usually loose all fear and nervousness about articles 

 being put suddenly on him, so that he will allow a saddle or other 

 harness to be flung on his back without any warning, and will not 

 jump away from a sudden approach. 



188. — The colt being thus entirely reconciled to your close 

 proximity, so that you can freely and even hastily tumble against 

 him without danger to yourself or alarm to him, can now be 

 taught the important lesson of leading freely and well. Take 

 the rein in your left hand, so that your right hand is free to 

 place on his head and neck, to push the colt gently away from 

 you if necessary. Take him at first round a yard or large shed, 

 where the fences will secure him, and enforce obedience to your 

 rein. Encourage him to step out freely by your side, and to 

 yield to a gentle side pull on the halter. Use no violence, have 

 no pulling matches with him, never get before him or attempt to 

 pull him along, or you will soon spoil him for leading. If you 

 cannot coax him into a free bold step, take a long gig whip, and 

 gathering the rope up in your right hand, take hold of the 

 leather halter round his head, so that you can either push or pull 

 him. Drag the whip behind you with your left hand, so that 

 you can touch his hind quarters with the thong, without his 

 understanding that you arc the operator. This will soon give 

 him the habit of stepping freely when led, though it requires to 

 be done skilfully and judiciously, without any appearance of 

 turning round to attack the colt, or destroying his confidence in 

 you, which would be quite fatal to good leading. 



