OTHER METHODS AND OBJECTIONS. 67 



whenever he pleases ; and this evil is sufificient to outweigh 

 any advantages the system may seem to have. A man 

 leading a yearling should never, until the animal is to 

 a certain extent quiet, leave his head, but have his right 

 hand on the cavesson-rein, holding it within a few inches 

 of the point of the cavesson. If this be done, then if the colt 

 starts from any cause he can be stopped at once. But if, on 

 the contrary, the man be a (qw yards from him, should he 

 jump forward and kick, which frequently happens, the 

 advantage is entirely his. As well pull at a house with the 

 hope of pulling it down, as think to stop a horse by the same 

 means. The result will be but one : the colt gets loose, 

 the cavesson-rein dangling at his heels to add to the fright 

 already occasioned by the other trappings, and he will likely 

 go for miles before he is secured. I have seen this happen, 

 and necessarily to the great injury if not absolute ruin of the 

 horse. It is clear therefore that a valuable (or for that matter 

 any other) yearling should not be permitted this chance of 

 freeing himself. There are unfortunately too many occasions 

 when ruin may result from uncontrollable circumstances, 

 ivithout adding this gratuitous one. 



The bit that as a rule is worn first, is a large snaffle with 

 a few pieces of steel or iron in the middle, and is called a 

 "player bit." The middle part should always be kept in 

 the centre of the mouth : it should not be allowed to remain 

 on one side or the other. The bridle should not be too long 

 in the head, or the colt will get his tongue over the bit, which 

 should in no case be permitted ; nor too short to prevent it 

 passing with freedom when moved on either side, or it will 

 cause hardness of the mouth. 



When the colt has become perfectly tractable he may be 

 ridden loose, having an old horse to lead him. He should be 



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