58 TO BREAK A HORSE TO HARNESS. 



been in that habit, you ought to set apart a half-day 

 for that purpose. Put him by the side of some steady 

 horse ; have check-lines on them ; tie up all the 

 traces and straps, so that there will be nothing to 

 excite them ; do not rein them up, but let them have 

 their heads loose. Walk them about together for 

 some time as slowly and lazily as possible; stop 

 often, and go up to your balky horse and gentle 

 him. Do not take any whip about him, or do any- 

 thing to excite him, but keep him just as quiet as 

 you can. He will soon learn to start off at the word, 

 and stop whenever you tell him. 



As soon as he performs rightly, hitch him in an 

 empty waggon ; have it stand in a favourable position 

 for starting. It would be well to shorten the stay- 

 chain behind the steady horse, so that if it is necessary 

 he can take the weight of the waggon the first time 

 you start them. Do not drive but a few rods at first ; 

 watch your balky horse closely, and if you see that 

 he is getting excited, stop him before he stops of his 

 own accord, caress him a little, and start again. As 

 soon as they go well, drive them over a small hill a 

 few times, and then over a larger one, occasionally 

 adding a little load. This process will make any 

 horse true to pull. 



TO BREAK A HORSE TO HARNESS. 



Take him in a light stable, as you did to ride 

 him ; take the harness and go through the same 



