54 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



the strap in your hand. As soon as he will allow you to hold him 

 by a tolerably short strap and to step up to him without flying- 

 back you can begin to give him some idea about leading. In 

 doing this pull him to one side. This can easily be done. When 

 he steps to one side pat and caress him and repeat until you can 

 walk about the stable with him. If he is given several lessons of 

 this kind at proper intervals he will become so tame that he will 

 come to be caressed while out in the pastures. 



HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE BRIDLE. 



To accustom the colt to the bit, you should use a large, smooth 

 snaffle, with a bar at each side. This should be attached to the 

 head stall of the bridle; put it in without any reins, and let him 

 run loose in a large stable for some time. Repeat this several 

 times. Reins should then be attached to the bit, and the animal 

 handled with the bit until h-^ is thoroughly accustomed to it. 



TO ACCUSTOM HIM TO THE SADDLE. 



The saddle should now be brought out. The fivst thing is to 

 tie each stirrup strap in a knot to make them short, preventing 

 them from flying about and hitting him. Then double up the 

 skirts and take the saddle in your right arm so as not to frighten 

 him with it when you approach. When you get to him, rub 

 him gently a few tinu'S with your hand, then raise the saddle 

 very slowly until he can see it and smell and feel it with hi^^ nose. 

 Then let the skirts loose and rub them very gently against his 

 neck, the way the hair lays, letting him hear the rattle of the 

 skirts and feel them against him, each time a little further back- 

 ward, and finally slip it over on his back. Shake it a little with 

 your hand, and in less than five minutes you can rattle it about 

 over his back as you please, pull it off and tlirow it on again with- 

 out his paying much attention to it. 



As soon as you have accustomed him to a saddle, fasten the 

 girth. Be careful about this. It often frightens the colt when 

 he feels the girth binding him. You should bring up the girth 



