Education of Colts 55 



All colts are different, and the same colt is rarely 

 two days alike. Be doubly patient with the slow- 

 witted and the dull (or the easily confused and 

 frightened). Never tire him, but always try to have 

 him fresh and interested, and, furthermore, if you 

 are conscious that you " got out of bed the wrong 

 side " and are worried, or nervous, or irritable, give 

 the job the go-by for that day. Your colt will find 

 it out sure, even if you do not thoroughly realise it 

 yourself, and a circus may ensue that will undo all 

 your work, and spoil a horse. Take your own 

 mental temperature every morning — your colt's, if 

 you handle him, will probably prove the same. 



Let the colt see the gig, smell it, and touch it; 

 of course you always use an open bridle. Bring 

 it to him. run it to him, lead him about, and have 

 it drawn behind him; bring the shafts on to his 

 withers, against his legs, etc., and finally, when he 

 has no fear of it, and has been placed between the 

 shafts and then led out several times, have every- 

 thing in readiness and " put him to." You should 

 be at his head. The traces should hook on to a staple 



