504 AMEKICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



will naturally moV'e off also, and ought not to be allowed to 

 stop until he becomes evidently tired. The old horse, through- 

 out this exercise, should have a saddle on and the bridle over 

 his neck, ready for riding. If the colt moves off freely and 

 kindly, after a few minutes let the person at the head lead 

 the old horse a little way in advance, gradually increasing 

 the distance until he is several lengths ahead of the colt in 

 the shafts. Without stopping the old horse, let the assistant 

 now spring into the saddle, and keep lengthening the interval 

 between himself and the buggy, until, at length, the old horse 

 is taken entirely out of sight of the colt. 



All this should be attended to on level ground, and with 

 a very light vehicle. If carried out with ^are and kindness, 

 this method will never fail of success. We can not too 

 strongly insist upon the happy mingling of gentleness and 

 firmness, which should characterize the young animal's 

 treatment throughout, or censure too severely harshness or 

 irresolution. If the colt stops, let him stand for a time, and 

 then, with gentle urgings, he will start on again. This he 

 should be taught to do, in fact, before being separated from 

 the old horse; and not only this, but even to back a little, 

 which is likely to prove one of his hardest lessons. Very 

 slight efforts should be used at first to make him back, as he 

 will resist them with considerable obstinacy. It will be suf- 

 ficient to induce him to take two or three steps backward, 

 adding another step each time the exercise is repeated, until 

 he becomes used to it. 



All of these performances are designed to accustom the 

 colt to the bridle, the saddle, the harness, the shafts of the 

 buggy, and the guidance of the lines, and to complete the 

 work of gentling before he has strength or inclination to dis- 

 obey. To these ends, he should be exercised frequently, but 

 without requiring from him any real labor while so young 

 and tender. 



THE COLT AT TWO YEARS OLD. 



During his third year, the colt should be continued in the 

 same training as before, and occasionally he may make short 



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