MANAGEMENT OF THE HOBSE. 33 



On the same principle, we consider it safer to " test the colt " 

 in every conceivable manner to guard against serious accidents 

 that are likely to oceu* every day with a colt that is handled in 

 the old fashioned way. 



When the trainer has hitched the colt up, and is driving him 

 on the road, it will be necessary, for a few days, to watch his 

 every movement closely. 



If he should attempt to kick, run, or do anything that is 



objectionable to the trainer, punish him with the bit, and he 



will soon learn to act right, because he is punished only when 

 he does wrong. 



A colt will often kick, strike or bite as a means of protection 

 to himself, and not because he is naturally vicious; and the 

 trainer must remember that the colt was not made for the har- 

 ness, but the harness was made for the colt. 



There are a great many people under the impression that the 

 colt was made for the saddle, harness and bridle. This is a 

 mistaken idea. The saddle, harness and bridle were made for 

 the colt and when we put them on him, we violate the laws of 

 nature, and as self-preservation is one of the laws of nature, the 

 colt may kick or attempt to run in order to protect himself. 



In order to illustrate this, we will say : 



If a fly should alight on the horse's neck he will shake his 

 head to remove it ; if it alights on his breast he will put his 

 mouth down to bite it off ; should it alight on the side of his 

 body, he will put his head around to do the same thing ; if on his 

 front leg, he wiU stamp his foot on the ground quickly; if it 

 alights on his rump, he will switch his tail and sometimes kick 

 up; if on the hind leg, he will kick with his hind foot to 

 remove it. 



If we take a pin and prick him lightly, he will do the same as 

 he did to remove the fly. 



c 



