226 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



sides, and place it on liis back. Then tap it lightly with the 

 finger, and soon you may play upon it vigorously, even while 

 it rests u])on his back, and he will be quite inditTerent. 



To render a colt familiar with the sound of a gun, begin by 

 snapping percussion caps, at the same time holding the colt by 

 the halter loosely in the yard, and when he becomes accustomed 

 to them, fire a pistol or a gun until he pays no attention to the 

 report. Do not manifest any alarm by seizing hold of his head, 

 as if you expected him to jump, but be as careless as possible, 

 patting and feeding the colt between the shots, and he will soon 

 permit you to shoot from his back. When you attempt this, 

 appear as calm as ever, and do not gather up the reins and 

 clutch his body with your legs just before you fire, because if 

 you do he will certainly jump, whether your gun goes oif or 

 not. 



In a similar manner, proceed with an umbrella and parasol, 

 opening and shutting them close to the colt, rubbing them upon 

 him, and holding them over his head and body till he cares 

 notliing for them. 



Then teach him that a newspaper, though it is white, and 

 rustles, is a perfectly harmless article, by rubbing him with it, 

 throwing it upon him like a blanket, dragging it about upon 

 the ground by a string, and riding him with it in the hand. 



To accustom him to the cars*, lead him to the depot and permit 

 him to sec them at rest, and examine them with care, even to 

 touching them. Then allow him to see them moving, and, at 

 the same time, lead him about in the vicinity as if nothing 

 important was being done. 



When once you commence to familiarize a colt or horse to any 

 thing which frightens him do not leave the work half done, but 

 repeat the lessons patiently day after day, if need be, until he 

 manifests no fear. Otherwise his terror will only be increased 

 by the experiment and he will be rendered more frantic and 

 unmanageable than before. 



At any time after he is one year old, the colt may be bitted, 

 or accustomed to the bit. This is done by putting on him a 

 nicely fitting bridle with a thick snafile or jointed bit about 

 four and one half inches long. To the joint in the centre of 

 the bit may be loosely attached some tags of iron an inch or 

 so in length, which, resting upon the tongue, will cause the colt 



