108 



COLT TEAINING. 



103. — Strained, unnatural position of 

 the head when checked liigh. 



bringing pressure upon the mouth and holdhig it there. 

 The ordiiiary arrangement is a surcingle with crupper at- 

 tachment, to which the check-rein is connected. This is so 

 common and well^understood that it is unnecessary to go 



into an explanation of de- 

 tails. There are great ob- 

 jections to the common 

 method of bitting, and 

 putting the rig upon an 

 entirely green, wild colt, 

 checking the head up high, 

 and turning him loose in 

 this condition. The colt 

 in his struggles for free- 

 dom is liable to get mad, 

 rear up, fall backward, 

 and possibly kill himself. 

 At any rate, the undue confinement irritates and excites 

 him to a needless degree. 



The proper course would be about as follows : First, put 

 on a bridle with a snaffle bit, leaving it on until he becomes 

 accustomed to it. Next, put on any simple harness rig, 

 and check at first so as to bring but little restraint upon 

 the head, leaA-ing it on thirty or forty minutes. Next day,, 

 check a little shorter, and let him run in a yard in Ihe same 

 manner. At each repetition, check shorter, until the head 

 is brought as high as he will bear. 



Another excellent method is to fit a simple surcingle, 

 having loops at different points on either side, and with 

 crupper attachment. Put on an ordinary bridle with snaf- 

 fle Ijit and gag-runners. Now take a piece of cord about 

 the size used for War Bridle, and fasten its center, either 

 bringing it over the water-hook, or held by a strap connect- 

 ing with the saddle-part. Pass the ends forward through 



