54 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



let any one persuade you to use a " bitting harness," 

 and if you get the chance at one, out knife and never 

 stop cutting it to pieces ; what human hands cannot 

 do, no machine can accomphsh, at least in horse 

 training. Nature has afforded you in the horse's 

 mouth a wonderfully constructed and sensitive 

 means for controlling the animal. Did you ever 

 study it ? Do be careful how you abuse and destroy 

 its exquisite tissues and nerves. Your pupil will 

 " make and harden " his own mouth if you will but 

 give him the chance. 



There has never seemed any advantage in driving 

 a colt in double harness, but, if you think so, be sure 

 that you provide a nimble, quick partner (at start 

 and at walk), and a fearless, for colts are very 

 imitative. Perhaps a sluggard may be best double, 

 for emulation wakes him up, and may make a 

 quicker, livelier animal of him. Short drives of 

 only a few moments are best, and be very careful 

 that shoulders do not get chafed or bruised, and 

 change the side the baby works on every trip, thus 

 keeping his mouth and action true and even. 



