8o 



he rears and throws himself right back over. Thus 

 he acquires a habit that it is difficult to get him to 

 unlearn, and of all the bad habits a colt can acquire 

 this is by far the most dangerous. But this is not 

 all, because, by the hardening of his mouth the bit 

 loses its intended effect, and he cannot be held if 

 he chooses to bolt — thus, in bridling and bitting 

 alone, three of the worst vices are imported into his 

 character — rearing, bolting, and continuous watchful- 

 ness to take every advantage of his surrounding 

 circumstances. 



NEW SYSTEM OF BRIDLING AND BITTING. 



The proper and humane method shall now be 

 described, with far different results. 



In bridling a colt, he should be turned round in 

 the stall with his head outwards towards the door, 

 just as the famous horse show dodge went — 



" Pay a penny and you will see 

 A horse's head where his tail should be." 



The breaker should undo the near bit strap, slip the 

 bridle gently over his head, stand exactly opposite 

 his near shoulder, and fondle him gently with the 

 hand and encourage him by kind words. This is 

 the only position close to a horse of absolute safety. 

 No colt can strike the breaker either from before 

 or behind, no matter how hard he tries, nor can he 

 run away if his neck is bent and the position main- 

 tained. The breaker must fasten all the bridle straps 



