THE COLT. 



THE first point to consider is, what is the disposition 

 and character of the colt? Is he very young, entirely wild, 

 very large, strong, and dangerous, or a wild, nervous, 

 timid one ? Is the colt " way-wised " to the halter, or other- 

 wise wild ? The first point with me is, what have I to 

 deal with. This point considered, I go to work, taking the 

 most direct and simple course of treatment. The first 

 condition is safety to self ; second, safety to the colt from 

 any physical injury ; third, what will the rase require, to 

 enable his perfect docility ? It is but a trifling matter to 

 make an average unbroken colt, of a nervous, intelligent 

 character, so gentle as to submit to being led by the 

 halter, gentle to handle and drive with perfect safety in 

 shafts, in fifteen or twenty minutes. Just as soon as he 

 can be made to guide to the bit and reins, he will drive, 

 even without breeching, allowing the cross-piece of the 

 shafts to come against his quarters, the reins under the 

 tail, etc., without showing the least fear or resistance from 

 such causes. Even colts of quite a bad character, we do 

 all this with, in illustrating principles before the class, daily, 

 and regard it no feat to do in fifteen to twenty and thirty 

 minutes. As before stated, as soon as the colt can be 

 taught to rein, and submit to the control of the bit, almost 

 so soon he can be hitched up and driven without breech- 

 ing. The real point to be considered in the training of 

 the colt is, how soon can you get a good manageable 

 mouth? While this is the point I look at, back of it is one 

 that cannot be safely neglected, since it is at the founda- 

 tion of your ultimate success ; namely, making the colt 

 absolutely gentle. He must not be afraid of any thing 

 upon, over, or against him ; to have the feet taken up and 

 pounded upon ; to submit to the shafts or any thing else 



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