326 Harnessing the Colt 



as certain that it is a detriment to limit the range of 

 vision while training. While much depends on the 

 individuality of the animal, it is true that most 

 colts train better in the open bridle. As a matter of 

 actual fact, this is very important in the education 

 of a driving horse. No horse can be said to be 

 trained until he is familiar with objects at all angles, 

 and to accomplish this the open bridle must be used. 

 After training, however, there is no important ob- 

 jection to the use of blinds, although even then they 

 add weight, are warm in summer and very annoying 

 to the horse ; but many horses work better when 

 blinds are used, in which case they should be attached 

 to the bridle. If blinds are used, they should be 

 firmly adjusted to the bridle so they cannot swing 

 back and forth. They should be of the same height 

 on the horse's head, as it is very unsightly as well as 

 annoying to the horse to have one placed low and 

 the other high on the face. 



Centerpieces, earbobs, tassels and brass fixtures. — 

 Such fixtures add to the general appearance of the 

 turnout. While fashion and custom seem to demand 

 a certain amount of unnecessary fixtures to worry 

 and annoy the horse, the use of them is not recom- 

 mended. Such parts are costly and add nothing to 

 utility. It would be more economical to use harness 

 of a better quality without such fixtures. On the 

 other hand, brass fixtures are often of indirect benefit, 

 as they promote interest in caring for the harness, 



