Tkaining the Colt 165 



while he is moving. Pole and gentle the colt well before hitching, 

 as many kicking and runaway horses are made the first time they 

 are hitched to the cart or wagon. 



HITCHING SINGLE OR DOUBLE 



If the colt is to be used single it is advisable to make his first 

 hitch single. The cart should be strong, easy running and long 

 shafted. The long shafts are used for two reasons — safety of the 

 trainer, and usually if the colt kicks and does not strike any- 

 thing he will not attempt again. A single safety or trip rope and 

 a kicking strap should be added to the harness. The trip rope 

 should be about fifteen feet long, one end of which should be 

 attached to a ring on a strap around the left front pastern. Pass 

 the rope through the ring attached to the belly band of the harness. 

 Drive him around and up to the cart and let him examine it well. 

 Send him into the shafts and back the cart from him as he walks 

 toward it. 



The trainer should have a helper for the first two or three 

 hitches. The assistant should hold the colt by the head until all 

 hitched ; then the driver should take his seat on the cart, the 

 helper remaining at the colt's head. Give the command " get up " 

 after he is started. The assistant should hold the trip rope, and 

 if the colt makes an attempt to run or kick, he should pull up 

 the foot and let the little fellow travel on three legs until he slacks 

 his pace. Stop and start him often; it will give him confidence 

 in himself and master. 



If the colt is to be used in a team, drive him double first. 

 Hitch him on the off side of a good-walking, gentle and well- 

 broken horse. After he is well trained to that position shift him 

 to the near side. 



A fast walk is the most valuable gait in a farm horse, so he 

 should be taught to walk fast before being allowed to trot, in order 

 to establish the habit. Never whip the colt by objects of fear. 

 Let him stand and look at them and slowly work his way up. He 

 should face the objects, and should never be let hurry past an 

 object or noise that frightens, him. 



When training a young horse for heavy draft do not hitch him 

 to a dragging load, such as a plow or harrow, but to something that 



