128 The Practical Stud Groom. 



working the poll-piece into its proper position behind the 

 ears, he buckles up the throat-lash and completes the job. 



It may be urged that the above method leaves un- 

 touched the problem of getting the bridle over the yearling's 

 ears, but the idea is to get the bridle on without a trial of 

 strength between teacher and pupil. Later on, when the 

 yearling has grown quite accustomed to wearing a bit and 

 bridle, and the daily lungeing and walking exercise has 

 quietened and steadied him generally, he will be much less 

 likely to object to the poll-piece being passed over his ears 

 than he would if the entire performance were a novelty. A 

 man might be as tall as a giraffe, but if, at the critical 

 moment, the yearling " ducked " his head, or swerved, or 

 reared up, it is any odds on the man's intention being 

 frustrated, unless by a big stroke of luck his " dash for the 

 pole" materialised. Even then the victory might prove a 

 costly one, for when next the bridle had to be put on, the 

 yearling, forewarned, would be " looking for trouble." 



The bridling operation having been successfully accom- 

 plished, the rings of the bit are connected by the couplings, 

 the head-collar taken off and replaced by the cavesson, and 

 the pupil is ready for his daily outing. The head-collar 

 should be fitted with a buckle on the nose-band, otherwise 

 it cannot be taken off the yearling whilst the bit is in his 

 mouth. It is important to remember not to attempt to hold 

 the yearling by the bit while this transfer of head-collar and 

 cavesson is being made ; he must be controlled by the hand 

 placed on the face, sufficiently high up to avoid compressing 

 the nostrils. After the day's spell of lungeing and walking 

 is finished, and the yearling back in his box, it is a good 

 plan to leave the bit and bridle on for an hour or two till 

 feeding time, so that he gets thoroughly accustomed to hav- 

 ing the bit in his mouth. 



