24 CARE AM) TKAINIXG OF TKOTTEIiS AND PACERS. 



the same as a breeching, and then a short piece to 

 run over the back, directly over the flanks, con- 

 necting both sides, to keep it from falling down 

 over the heels ; then the two long pieces are run 

 through the halter ring. The colt breaker takes 

 the halter shank in one hand, and the two ends of 

 the cord in the other, then gently pulls on the 

 halter shank and gives the cord a sharp jerk. The 

 colt will generally make a jump forward, and in 

 some cases attempt to kick, but it takes, as a rule, 

 only one lesson for the colt to grasp the idea that 

 with a pull of the halter shank it will also re- 

 ceive a jerk on the cord, so that after a few les- 

 sons it will obey and lead on the first pull of the 

 shank." Frank E. Alley of Roseburg, Ore., uses 

 this same method to break his colts to halter ex- 

 cept he is careful to give "an equal pull on the 

 halter rope and the rope which goes around the 

 colt. Give a steady pull and the colt will always 

 step forward to get away from the pressure be- 

 hind." 



'T have always considered that I knew some- 

 thing about breaking colts, but my superintend- 

 ent, Mr. McDonald, showed me a new wrinkle in 

 bitting a colt, which is the finest thing I have ever 

 seen. He uses the ordinary bitting rig, consist- 

 ing of a surcingle, back band (with a ring on 

 either side), crupper attachment, plain, open 

 bridle without check, and a soft leather bit with a 

 leather guard at either side of the rnouth. Th^ 



