APPENDIX. 207 



HARNESSING. 



Be very particular about the fitting of the harness. It should rest 

 easy on every part, yet fit nicely. The belly-band should not be over- 

 tight ; undue pressure stops the circulation, is uncomfortable and may 

 chafe. Be specially particular about the bridle fitting nicely, not pull- 

 ing the bit across the lips — should rest in the mouth naturally and 

 easily when checked up ; that the throat latch is not too tight. 

 Many a horse is half choked, and often even spoiled, from this cause, 

 without its being suspected. The fitting of the harness should be at- 

 tended to as carefully as the fitting of a suit of clothes — that it is not at 

 least uncomfortably tight anywhere. There are many horses that a little 

 careful, encouraging management would work in so gently that they 

 would not be suspected capable of much resistance or acting badly, 

 that a little harsh, rough treatment will make act very badly. I don't 

 like checking the head up high, especially a colt that don't know what 

 it means. The check at all times should be moderately loose, and if a 

 horse drives well and naturally good action, better be left off, or just 

 enough to keep the head in place. > 



Always work the colt slowly at first, teaching him to go right and 

 left, and ahead, with reins, as directed in driving colts in harness, and 

 if you will give little presents of oats, corn, or anything else of which 

 the horse is fond, it will help your purpose very much and teaches 

 yourself patience. Always be mindful how you would probably act 

 yourself if in the horse's place, if jerked and pulled about, perhaps 

 made to feel the whip keenly, and that it requires a little time for a 

 horse to understand what is wanted to be done. 



People get mixed up in these matters, and ask, how is it then that 

 you drive a horse so quickly, and yet you tell us to work slow and care- 

 ful ; we don't understand this. 



I make a horse or colt, by my process of training, so that he will 

 submit to being harnessed, handled and submit to shafts striking the 

 hind parts very quickly. This is what we term taming a horse. If he 

 happens to work in quickly to the control of the bit, he will drive 

 afterwards gently. But very much of my success in this will depend 

 upon the type of his temperament ; a sulky, surly disposition always 

 working in slowly, yet surely, if only patient. I can make any colt 

 gentle by the simple course of subjection in from ten to twenty min- 

 utes, with very rare exceptions, but it will often require an hour or two 

 to teach a colt to rein easily and nicely, and this comes under the head 

 of details requiring this *' knack " of teaching or winning into doing 

 what is wanted, and is a matter of a little patience in teaching. In 

 breaking COLTS your point should be to make them entirely fearless and 

 gentle, then teach slowly and carefully what to do. In breaking OLD 

 HORSES, or those having bad habits fastened upon them, to overcome 

 in the most thorough manner the weakness of resistance, whatever it 

 is, drill on this one point until sure of success, let it be long or short. 

 If the horse is moved by fear and determined in resistance, work sharp 



