TAAnXG HORSES. 139 



die, fasten the girth. Be careful how you do this. 

 It ofteu frightens the colt when he feels the girth 

 binding him, and making the saddle fit tight on 

 his back. You should bring up the girth very 

 gently, and not draw it too tight at first, just 

 enough to hold the saddle on. Move him a little, 

 and then girth it as tight as you choose, and he 

 will not mind it. 



You should see that the pad of your saddle is 

 all right before you put it on, and that there is 

 nothing to make it hurt him, or feel unpleasant to his 

 back. It should not have any loose straps on the 

 back part of it, to flap about and scare him. After 

 you have saddled him in this way, take a switch in 

 your right hand to tap him up with, and walk 

 about in the stable a few times with your right arm 

 over your saddle, taking hold of the reins on each 

 side of his neck with your right and left hands, 

 thus marching him about in the stable until you 

 teach him the use of the bridle, and can turn him 

 about in any direction, and stop him by a gentle 

 pull of the rein. Always caress him, and loose the 

 reins a little every time you stop him. 



You should always be alone, and have your colt 

 in some light stable or shed the first time you ride 

 him ; the loft should be high, so that you can sit 

 on his back without endangering your head. You 

 can teach him more in two hours' time in a stable 



