SECRETARY'S REPORT. 229 



canter. In tli'is latter pace you can compel him to lead with 

 the right or left foot by riding him in a circle first one way and 

 then the other, and afterwards by pulling on one rein and 

 urging forward the opposite side with the whip, spur or leg. 



Colts which are expected to show great trotting speed should 

 never be allowed to canter or gallop, but ordinary driving 

 horses are in no way injured by being accustomed to canter 

 under the saddle. 



A colt may be broken to the harness at two, three, or four 

 years of age, but should never be subjected to hard service 

 before he is six years old. First, put on the harness in the 

 yard and when he has no fear of it, hitch him beside a steady 

 horse and lead him with the harness on. Then harness him to 

 a wagon or sleigh with another perfectly well-broken horse and 

 drive them slowly on the road. In this position he may be 

 taught the meaning of horse-talk, the bit, and the whip, and 

 then he may be driven alone without the least difficulty. 

 Remember always to be patient and gentle and also that the 

 colt knows nothing about what is expected of him. 



If it be not convenient to employ another horse, permit the 

 colt to examine the wagon, sulky, fore-wheels, or sleigh, until 

 he has no fear of it, and then he may be harnessed alone and 

 driven slowly without danger. 



In breaking a colt to harness, it is better to use a bridle 

 without blinders or blinkers, that he may understand what is 

 done. There are two reasons assigned for the use of blinders — 

 one is that a horse with a large head looks better with them, 

 and the other that a horse is less likely to become lazy if he 

 cannot see when the whip is about to be applied. A spirited, 

 well-formed horse, looks better and behaves better without blind- 

 ers than with them. 



The colt having been made familiar with the harness should 

 be taught to go in a covered buggy or chaise, and then trained 

 to walk properly and rapidly, and to trot in good style, and 

 should never be suffered to assume any other pace. If he has 

 not already learned it he should now be taught to back and also 

 to draw. 



Spirited Thoroughbred horses, if badly treated, are apt to 

 acquire the very dangerous habit of backing down a hill instead 

 of going up it whenever they take the notion, or of balking or 



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