110 COLT TKAINING. 



come by the simple method of training the mouth with the 

 Breaking Bit. 



If the colt does not rein freely, or pulls too heavily, 

 put on the Breaking Bit, run the reins through the shaft lugs 

 and drive around slowly. When the pull is too hard, give 

 a little raking jerk, just enough to break the pull, then 

 slack instantly, and so repeat. Do the same also for throw- 

 ing the head down, and lugging, which will bring the head 

 up and back. Simply repeat until the mouth submits freely 

 to moderate restraint. Sometimes the horse will fight this 

 quite hard for a time, the same as a stubborn, headstrong 

 horse will resist the jerking or pulling upon the War Bridle 

 in teaching to lead ; but by repeating, he will soon learn 

 to submit to it unconditionally. There must be persever- 

 ance until the point is made of submitting to the slightest 

 restraint. If necessary, the lesson should be repeated 

 when driving to wagon. It is surprising how easily the 

 mouth is made to submit to restraint by a little training 

 with this -bit. (See details of using Breaking Bit under 

 that head in first chapter.) 



HITCHING TO WAGON. 



With sufficient control of the mouth to hold the horse 

 under any excitement, the next step is to drive to wagon. 

 As it is sometimes a little risky to do this directly, driving 

 to poles should be resorted to first. In fact, I regard this 

 necessary, because it accustoms the colt to being touched 

 around the quarters, backing against the crosspiece, etc., 

 with entire safety. Hitch the colt into these poles with- 

 out breeching, and drive around, turning right and left, and 

 backing against the crosspiece occasionally to fix the im- 

 pression of being touched by it. 



Before hitching to wagon, all fear of any rattle, or noise 

 from behind, must be overcome. Next, hitch the horse in, 



