FINISHING STROKES. 181 



before hitching to any vehicle (380 to 384), even the wildest colt 

 can be made a safe and excellent harness horse, without the 

 assistance of any other horse, perhaps, upon the whole, a rather 

 better horse for single harness than you can get in any other 

 way. 



402. — The finishing strokes of the education of a horse for 

 light harness consist of nothing more than good careful driving 

 for a time. Introduce him to alarming objects as you would do 

 any other horse (214 to 217). Handle his mouth gently, and 

 insist in the same way (211) upon obedience to every rein signal. 

 Good habits can only be confirmed by time. Any young horse 

 can be easily spoiled, so that unskilled drivers should only under- 

 take to handle horses that have for months, if not for years, 

 gained experience at their work in good hands. 



403. — Nothing will take so long to ensure in the young horse 

 as the habit of pulling steadily and slowly. The more constantly 

 he is kept at slow, hard, but always possible pulling the sooner he 

 will get reliable at it. But he must never be overdone, never 

 be asked to take a heavy pull at starting, especially with a cold 

 shoulder. Never whipped or hurried at his starting, never worked 

 with a jib, and never asked to pull a second time without a 

 change of position at anything that has proved too much, either 

 for his strength or his attainments. Be especially on your guard 

 not to ask him to take a bad start after a day's rest. Supposing 

 it to be necessary that he must start something heavy after a few 

 day's rest, put him first at something light, and get his shoulders 

 warm before you ask him for a heavy steady lift. Carefully study 

 your colt's temper, watch his ears at every start, and you will 

 soon see how much you may ask him to do, and at any rate don't 

 overdo it. Keep a sharp look out to avoid sore shoulders, sharp 

 bits, tight reins, and above all, impatient, thoughtless, stupid 

 drivers. 





