48 TO RIDE THE COLT. 



to jump or run., arid be a little easier frightened than 

 he was while in the stable. But after handling him so 

 much in the stable he will be pretty well broken, and 

 you will be able to manage him without trouble or 

 danger. 



When you first mount him take a little the 

 shortest hold on the left rein, so that if anything 

 frightens him you can prevent him from jumping 

 by pulling his head around to you. This operation 

 of pulling a horse's head round against his side will 

 prevent any horse from jumping ahead, rearing up, 

 or running away. If he is stubborn and will not go, 

 you can make him move by pulling his head round 

 to one side, when whipping would have no effect. 

 And turning him round a few times will make him 

 dizzy, and then by letting him have his head straight, 

 and giving him a little touch with the whip, he will 

 go along without any trouble. 



Never use martingales on a colt when you first ride 

 him ; every movement of the hand should go right to 

 the bit in the direction in which it is applied to the 

 reins, without a martingale to change the direction of 

 the force applied. You can guide the colt much 

 better without it, and teach him the use of the bit 

 in much less time. Besides, martingales would pre- 

 vent you from pulling his head round if he should 

 try to jump. 



After your colt has been ridden until he is gentle 

 and well accustomed to the bit, you may find it an 



