Driving a Wild Horse 233 



to continue the use of the double safety for a time, 

 to be prepared to meet any emergency, since occa- 

 sionally such a horse does act up without giving 

 warning even after going nicely. Do not rush 

 through this part of the training, but give the horse 

 sufficient time to adjust himself to the new conditions. 

 As soon as he gets the idea that you are his friend 

 and that no harm is to come to him, the victory is 

 half won. 



Teaching the ivild horse the uses of the hit and to 

 drive with lines. — The stubborn, refractory and 

 wild horse should be taught the uses of the bit much 

 the same as suggested for the work horse (p. 56) 

 modifying the method to meet the needs of each 

 individual. Use a bridle with a mild bit in connec- 

 tion with the bitting harness. If the horse fights 

 the bit, do not use a severe one, as is the usual prac- 

 tice, but try a bitless bridle for a time. After a few 

 lessons in the bitting-harness and bitless bridle, try 

 the mild bit again. Soon he will cease to fight it. 

 Patience on the part of the horseman is the prin- 

 cipal requirement in training a wild horse. 



After the horse becomes familiar with the bit, the 

 side-reins of the bitting-harness may be substituted 

 for lines preparatory to driving and teaching the 

 commands. If the horse promises to give trouble, 

 place the double safety (p. 208) on him before at- 

 tempting to drive him, so as to be prepared to steady 

 him should he attempt to act up. Have an assistant 



