194 GUIDING WORDS. 



learned fast enough, indeed you cannot prevent his learning them. 

 He will know his own name almost as soon as you have fixed 

 upon it ; he will be trying to go on before you can say " gently," 

 and will very soon associate the word *' now-then," with a 

 threatening swing of the whip, and quicken his pace accordingly. 

 It is only the guiding and the slowing words that present any 

 difficulty. These will never be taught very quickly, and will 

 never be taught well, except by the most patient, forbearing, 

 consistent attention. 



437. — The guiding words should be taught at the daily 

 work. When you first put the colt into the light chain harrows 

 (411) will be a good time to begin this. Every time you pull 

 either rein, let the corresponding word "haw" or "gee," be 

 uttered, and continue slowly repeating the word as long as you 

 pull the rein or want the colt to turn in that direction. As you 

 drive him towards a fence or other obstacle keep him straight up 

 to it, and as he hesitates which way to turn from it give him the 

 order, quietly and distinctly, " haw" or " gee," and pull the 

 corresponding rein. As he gets to understand the word turn him 

 to the word alone, keeping the rein ready to enforce obedience. 

 When he is yoked to another horse (411), continue the same 

 treatment, and make both horses obey the guiding words at every 

 turn. 



438. — The result could be hastened by a sharp bit or a loop 

 bridle severely used, but the calm unagitated turning that is so 

 desirable in a team would be lost, so that it is much better to 

 quietly continue the lesson at every day's work than to excite 

 the colt by any rough handling of that sort. 



439. — The lesson can be equally well taught, although still 

 more slowly, by working the colt alongside of a well taught 

 horse that is constantly guided by the voice, the colt being so 

 tied that the old horse can command his movements. 



440. — The slowing word " steady," is the one most rarely 

 taught effectually. We constantly hear it used, but we seldom 

 see a horse that pays much attention to it. It is most effectually 

 taught by driving the horse with reins in any kind of single 

 harness where he has not much to pull. You can soon teach 



