Education of Colts 57 



safe until there has been a quarrel and they have been 

 mastered. Educated as described, there will, up 

 to now, have arisen trouble from only two causes 

 (in all probability). Every colt, sooner or later, 

 will try to kick, but a properly placed and stout 

 kicking-strap nips all that in the bud, and no young 

 or fresh horse should ever be driven without one ; it 

 is no trouble, and it is like carrying a revolver, — 

 you may never need it, but if you do, you'll need it 

 mighty bad ! Therefore, put it on and keep it on, 

 long after all necessity seems past. Not every smash 

 is caused by vice, and a frolic often ends in a row. 

 The other " break " your pupil may make is to throw 

 himself, and if he does, pile on to his neck and sit 

 there while you smoke a cigar. The little beggar is 

 doing a heap of hard thinking all the while, and the 

 conclusion he reaches is that that particular game 

 doesn't pay. If he tries it again, sing out for some 

 rope, tie his legs together, fix his head comfortably, 

 and leave him there for an hour or so. He is learn- 

 ing that you are stronger than he — or, rather, you 

 are deceiving him to that effect. 



