HIS EDUCATION. 153 



sons, and slioaldbe made accustomed to whatever is likely 

 to attract his attention when lie is put in harness. The 

 more he is accustomed to straps tlie less likely will he be 

 to become frightened by accidental breaking of the har- 

 ness, by the falling of a trace about his heels, or by having 

 the reins thrown on his back by a careless driver. 



Young horses, while mere foals nursing by their mothers' 

 sides, should be accustomed to be fearless ; should be ac- 

 customed to feed from the hand, to suffer themselves to 

 be handled, to have their feet lifted, and tapped with the 

 hands or a hammer on the soles, to be led to and fro by 

 the forelock, to endure , the pressure of the hand on the 

 back, to rejoice in being constantly flattered, caressed and 

 spoken to ; nay,^even to understand words of gentle re- 

 proach. They should be very early equipped with a head- 

 stall, having a ring appended to which a halter can be 

 attached, and by these means they can be easily taught to 

 follow at any pace the person leading them, walking, 

 running or stopping as he may desire. Punishment at 

 this period should never be resorted to, but rewards 

 should be continually offered. Bits of bread, or carrots, 

 should be carried in the pocket, and given to the little 

 creature, with a caress, when it has done what is required 

 of it. 



Soon after this a pad may he strapped on the back for a 

 few hours daily ; and, after a time, stirrup-leathers, and then 

 stirrups appended to it, and suffered to flap about, by which 

 means all fear of such things will be removed long enough 

 before it will become necessary to saddle him for any real 

 purpose. When he is about a year old the colt's bits 

 should be occasionally put in his mouth, and he should 

 be reined up gently to his surcingle, and allowed to play 

 with thr^m or mouth them : and, after this, he may stand 

 for an hour or two betwe\^n the pillars, with reins attached 



