Early Days 247 



convinced that both man and animal were in league 

 with the evil one. Early association should spell 

 early friendship ; and a young horse must be treated 

 with the same care and gentleness as a child, always 

 remembering that both must be subject to correc- 

 tion, and this poHcy towards him will allow of his 

 mind being developed to the best advantage. 



Time is a great consideration to the small Eng- 

 lish horsebreeder ; but he does not labor under the 

 same disadvantages as did his ancestors. Odd mo- 

 ments spent in the pleasant occupation of gentling 

 the colt will save much anxiety and some loss from 

 lameness and accidents, which often result from 

 keeping '* wild " colts on the farm. The Irishman 

 is a long way ahead of the Englishman in this 

 respect. It is at this stage that the single long rein 

 and leather cavesson are invaluable. The young 

 horse should be led about, and should be allowed, 

 in Rarey's words, to " see, smell, and touch with 

 the nose " anything that is strange to him. If this 

 is carefully carried out he should never become 

 that abomination to either the rider or the driver, a 

 shyer. If the colt is really afraid of anything that 

 he meets, and which is moving towards him, turn 



