30 



MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 



lightly with the pole on the legs and belly, getting him accus- 

 tomed to being touched all over. 



This lesson is to prepare him for receiving the shafts, and he 

 should be handled thoroughly with the pole in every place where 

 the shafts and cross-bar would be likely to touch him, even in the 

 case of an accident, as this treatment is really to guard against 

 accidents that may occur at any time after he is hitched up. 



Always be sure that you can hold your colt when he is excited 

 or frightened. 



Most any person can hold hold a colt that will not try to get 

 away ; but you want to be able to hold him when he is trying 

 his best to get away. 



After the colt has submitted to all of the above treatment and 

 goes along kindly and gently, it would seem as though he was 

 ready to be hitched up. 



You will bear in mind, however, that thus far the colt's senses 

 have been but partially educated. Now take an old tin can of any 

 kind that will make a noise ; tie it to the hair of his tail and 

 allow it to drag behind him, so as to accustom him to the rattling 

 of a wagon or any other noise likely to be made while he is on the 

 road. [See cut No. 5.] 



No. 5. 

 Drive him around on a walk at first, then in a trot. If he 

 attempts to run away, stop him as quickly as possible, and bring 

 him to a walk again. 



