88 The Horse Farrier. 



how to teach a horse to make a bow, 



Take the horse by the bits, and take hold of the top of 

 his head, pmch it as you draw it down j in a short time 

 you can draw it down by pulling his main, using some 

 word that he will get familiar ynih ; after a little practice 

 he Tvdll make a bow by pulling his mane or using the fa- 

 miliar word. This is the way showmen train horses to use 

 in the ring. By patience and perseverance you can learn a 

 horse as many pranks as Dan Rice learns his. 



BREAKING COLTS. 



As thi ssubject is one of vital importance, we veture a 

 few remarks in addition to Mr Rarey's method. The 

 breaking of colts may commence at an early age 

 As tney aavance towards maturity they become more 



fixed in their habits, are more resolute in their temper,, 

 less able to be taught, and are able to offer greater 

 resistance, and there is less danger of their injuring 

 themselves or their trainer, by their efforts to free 

 themselves from restraint. The training of a colt may 

 commence before they are a month old, by handling, 

 caressing, CRi'rying, and making a pet of them, tak- 

 ing care to touch them only in such places as are 

 agreeable to them^ such as the back, jowls, and the un- 

 der side of the neck, taking care to avoid the ears. 

 A halter may be put on when three months old, one 

 that will be impossible for them to break. Fasten it to 

 the collar of the mare, and teach them to follow the 

 mare thus early, being careful that they do not hang 

 back on the halter. The habit once confirmed, it will 

 be difficult to break them of it. Let perfect kindness 

 characterise all your first efforts — ^reward every act of 

 obedience, and bring them under perfect subjection. 



