210 THE PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING 



the first few attempts, a string mil probably ser^^e as well as a 

 chain to keep him in his place tliereafter, while if he succeeds in 

 freeing himself at the first few attempts he will never cease 

 trying to repeat what he has once accomplished. 



Bridle and Harness. — The first step toward getting a colt 

 going successfully in harness is to properly bit and mouth him. 

 In the old countries a common practice is to back the colt into a 

 slip stall and hold him there by cross-ties snapped in the bit 

 rings. He thus works against the iron, first bearing, then yield- 

 ing, until he becomes accustomed to its presence and tlie pressure 

 exerted by it. The dumb jockey or more simple bitting ring, 

 commonly used here, serves much the same purpose, but no 

 mechanical device is as effective as the pressure of the hand on 

 the rein ; better mouths are made in this way. One of the most 

 effective ways of developing a good mouth in a colt and of teaching 

 him to flex his neck is by riding him as soon as he is old enough 

 to be " backed.'' Many of the best harness horses received much 

 of their preliminary schooling from the saddle. Inasmuch as 

 the conveyance of the master's thought to the horse's mind, for 

 execution, is via hands, reins, bit, and mouth, no progress can be 

 made and none should be attempted until this fundamental 

 means of communication has been established. Simple physical 

 power is a poor means of control when applied to the horse. On 

 the contrary, control is a matter which involves to a greater 

 extent the mental faculties of both horse and master. If he has 

 been inspired from colthood with the idea of man's dominance, 

 obedience will receive a great deal more consideralion from him 

 than will rebellion. 



AMiile teaching the horse subordination by loading liim to 

 underestimate certain of his powers, it is also essential tliat he 

 be made to believe that there is no limit to certain others. In 

 the breaking process the kick strap should not be left off until 

 the habit has been acquired, nor should any pains be spared to 

 prevent an initial performance at either rearing, backing, wheel- 

 ing, or running. On the other hand, it is just as important not 

 to overload a pair of draft colts, with a view of creating in them 

 the notion that they can pull anything with two ends loose. For 



