100 THE HOKSE BOOK. 



then he does not know what he is doing. On the 

 other hand if he has confidence in the man who 

 has hold of him, his master's voice will reas- 

 sure him. 



There is a whole lot too much fuss, as a rule, 

 made about breaking young horses. If the 

 breaking is made a gradual process it will come 

 to a head much as a matter of course. If they 

 are allowed to run practically wild until three or 

 four years old and then suddenly caught up and 

 the effort made to force them to' do something 

 they know nothing about there will be trouble 

 and there always is. It may be advanced that 

 farmers have not time to fuss with coHs as ad- 

 vocated. That is a poor excuse. The farmer 

 who has not time to fuss with that which puts 

 dollars in his pockets would better be in other 

 business. 



I figure that it is best to break colts and ac- 

 custom them to the harness at two years of age. 

 First of all, on the farm, take a thick straight 

 bit and buckle it in the mouth with two short 

 straps to the square irons in the ends of the 

 cheek pieces of the halter. Let them stand tied 

 in the stall and they will mouth and champ on 

 the bit and so toughen the cheeks, or parts of 

 the lips which the bit contacts, in that process. 



Now get ready a leather surcingle with a loop 

 strap on top and buckles stitched half-way down 

 each side. Buckle the surcingle around the colt 's 

 body and adjust a check rein moderately tight. 



