90 



one side and then from the other ; and when he 

 becomes thoroughly accustomed to this, the flaps of 

 the saddle should be beaten very gently at first to 

 familiarise him with noise like the swinging of straps 

 and rattling of irons. 



HOW TO PREPARE THE COLT FOR MOUNTING. 



After training the colt with the feeling of the 

 saddle for three or four consecutive days, he should 

 receive lessons in turning to the bit. This is best 

 accomplished by walking close to his side — the near 

 side — and reaching the right hand well over the 

 withers to use the off-rein, while the left is worked by 

 the other hand, making him move backward and 

 forward and turn in all directions. The colt should 

 be led in the open a few days by a long rein 

 attached to the front cavesson ring. He should be 

 taken along public highways so that he may become 

 familiar with objects on the road. Many colts are 

 frightened to pass swiftly driven vehicles and " scorch- 

 ing " cyclists. From the number of bicycles now 

 being ridden over the public roads, together with 

 the frequent appearance of a snorting motor-car, the 

 passing of these objects quietly by horses is an im- 

 portant and essential point in their early training. 



THE USE OF CHAINS AND MOUTH-BAGS. 



In addition to the ordinary breaking harness, it is 

 a capital plan to fix a chain to the crupper just above 

 the colt's quarters. The chain should be about eight 



