430 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 



him in this way until he will guide to suit you, stop at the 

 command "Whoa/' start when told, and back up at the 

 word. Be sure he will turn or guide freely in all directions. 

 To teach a colt this may take one day or one week, accord- 

 ing to his attention to business, but when you commence a 

 lesson keep at it until he learns it. 



When this preliminary work is done properly the colt is 

 ready to hitch to the breaking cart, with but little fear of 

 his doing anything wrong. If the frost is out of the ground 

 and you are ready to commence driving him have the break- 

 ing cart drawn out into some large open space or field of at 

 least three or foui' acres. Have your breaking harness good 

 and stout, with a kick-strap attached. Drive the colt out 

 to the field, let him see the cart, pull it around behind him 

 and about him for a few moments, then let the assistant hold 

 him by the head Avliile he is being hitched to it, and never 

 have more than two men with you. Get on the seat, let the 

 men lead the colt for a few rods, then step to one side and 

 let him go. 



If he wants to indulge in a few jumps do not pull and 

 saw away on his mouth and tear it lo pieces. Let him go ; 

 he will not do any harm, and will soon settle down and jog 

 or walk around as you desire, and in thirty minutes you 

 can drive out and around the track, then to the stable all 

 right ; being very careful in unhitching him not to let him 

 get frightened. Repeat the same thing daily, hitching up 

 out in the field for several days, until you have perfect con- 

 fidence in him, finishing your drive on the track or road. 

 I first break colts with a blind bridle on and finish up the 

 job with an open bridle. Be very particular not to check 

 the colt up at all until he is thoroughly broken, as it only 

 serves to make him mad. Do not have a lot of fellows about 

 to see the colt handled ; it is apt to make trouble and bother. 

 A man wants his whole attention strictly on what he is doing 

 and can not be entertaining visitors. It is not necessary to 

 have a great heavy break cart, nor is it best to have anyone 

 in with you. Remember you are only breaking a yearling, 



