CHAPTER W. 



BREAKINC; TO LIGHT HARNKSS. 



o79. — The horse intended for liiiht, quick draft should first 

 be taught to liandle quietly and lead well (188), and to bear a 

 crupper quietly under his tail (190). Vat on a strong bridle, with 

 large secure side guards and strong nose band, and to the left side 

 of the bit buckle a leather strap, long and strong enough for a 

 lounging line. Choose a collar with soft, even face, and one that 

 fits the colt well. It must not be wide and loose, nor must it be 

 so short as to press on his wind pipe. The skin of the colt's 

 shoulder is as tender as that of a hand unaccustomed to hard 

 tools ; and although, like a rower's hand, it will harden to almost 

 anything by degrees, a great deal of time is lost, and a permanent 

 l)lemish often inflicted if the skin is blistered, or the hair rubbed 

 off at the commencement of the horse's work. The collar should 

 be the same as the colt is intended to work in, as a change of 

 collar always demands time for another hardening of the skin in a 

 different place, just as we find on our own feet with a change of 

 boots. 



380. — Let the colt take a turn round you with ihe collar on, 

 and, if he is at all alarmed about it, keep him moving until he 

 cares nothing for it. Add the other articles of the harness he is 

 intended to wear, one at a time, and walk him about, so that he 

 can see them moving on him. Tie the breeching rather tightly to 

 the collar or tugs, so as to accustom the colt to the pressure of the 

 collar ou his shoulders, and of the breeching on his thighs. Walk 

 and trot the colt round you, in full liarness, until its appearance, 

 pressure, or movements entirely cease to alarm him. Then attach 

 two reins, or light leather straps, about twenty feet long, to the 

 collar or hams, and get a steadv, reliable assistant to lead the colt 



