I 12 



In addition to the ordinary reins of the driver, an 

 extra pair should be attached to the colt so that he 

 can be guided to right and left with perfect ease and 

 freedom. Whenever he is securely tied, the breaker 

 should attach the chains to the draught trees, and 

 gradually lengthen the reins by going backward, 

 slipping them through the hands, until about three 

 yards to his right rear. 



HOW TO START THK COLT. 



The breaker should let the man at the plough look 

 after the near-side horse and endeavour to get both 

 horses in motion at the same time. If the colt is 

 allowed to start before the horse, he will, in nine cases 

 out of ten, rush back after throwing his weight into 

 the collar ; and while he is rushing back the near-side 

 horse will be going forward. Very often, by a want 

 of attention at this particularly critical stage, the horse 

 and the colt will jerk backward and forward alternately 

 in opposite directions. This causes a great deal of 

 trouble and inconvenience, and it has a distinctly bad 

 influence on the future starting of the colt. If they 

 cannot really be set in motion at precisely the same 

 moment, the breaker should alwaws endeavour to start 

 the old horse first. If the colt should appear un- 

 willing to start, he should move the other horse 

 forward, at the same time steadily working the reins 

 of the former and encouraging him with gentle and 

 assuring words. He will generally move forward at 

 once, but if possessed of a very hot temper he may 



