BREAKING. 



213 



is to get the colt into the bitting rig. This consists of 

 saddle, breeching, crouper and bridle. The bridle will 

 have an ordinary side-check, and the bit will be a 

 snaffle, with a joint in the center. You will have 

 become so familiar, by this time, with the way the colt 

 carries his head that you can readily adjust the check 

 just right, and be sure not to have it too tight. Lead 

 him around in this every day for three or four days. 

 After taking the harness off work him in the paddock ; 

 then turn him out for a run of a few hours. Then 

 take him to the miniature track and give him his usual 

 work with the bitting rig on, and in a day or two you 

 can let him loose in the track, or in a paddock, with 

 the rig on. 



After he has become pretty well accustomed to this 

 harness, make an addition to it in the shape of long 

 reins. Let one man lead him at first while the other 

 walks behind driving and seeking to guide him by 

 the rein. Learn him to go ahead, stop, back, turn, etc. 

 After a lesson or two the man at his head may be dis- 

 pensed with, for if you have trer.ted him right he will 

 now understand what the rein means. Be firm, but 

 not harsh with him, and see that the harness does not 

 chafe or irritate him at any point, and watch that the 

 bit does not hurt his mouth. Remember that the 

 reason he does not do what you want him to at first is 

 not because he is contrary or stubborn, but because he 

 does not understand what you want. Do not mix up 

 ignorance and perversity in seeking for the reasons 

 why he will sometimes do everything but what you 

 want him to. \Yhen you are sure that he understands 

 what you want and will not do it, it is time enough to 



