40 KINDNESS. 



parison, the best means known for the purpose. It does 

 not injure the horse ; its success in all cases is complete. 

 There is, however, a great point in the skill of using it 

 right. 



I will here explain to you how you can make almost any 

 colt lead easily by the use of a common rope halter. It 

 of course does not give the power of the war-bridle, and is 

 not to be compared with it ; but, being available and sim- 

 ple, I will include it. The halter should fit well on the 

 head ; the nose-piece should not be too tight or too low. 

 If too tight, you will greatly lessen its power upon the 

 head ; if too low, it presses upon the nostrils, and prevents 

 breathing. Neither should the rope be more than three- 

 fourths of an inch in size. If you have a rope-halter, see 

 that the slipping-noose part is made fast by a single knot, 

 leaving the nose part large enough, so that it will not press 

 tightly upon the jaw. If you neglect this little point, 

 when you pull upon the halter, this nose-piece around and 

 back of the jaw draws tight and hurts : it tends directly 

 to setting the colt back ; and once pressing tightly upon 

 his head, he is likely to pull most recklessly to get away. 

 This is the reason a colt hitched by a rope-halter is liable, 

 without any apparent cause, to get in the habit of pulling 

 on the halter. This you will avoid by tying into a knot, 

 as above described. Now stand opposite the shoulder, 

 and give a sharp, quick pull, and let loose instantly. You 

 will of course pull the head towards you ; and, if the body 

 is brought around towards you, you have made quite a 

 point. If the colt attempts to run back or runs ahead, 

 give him slack rope; simply repeat, until he will come 

 around towards you without pulling. Now get on the 

 opposite side, and repeat the same tactics until he will 

 come that way freely ; and at each movement of coming 

 to you, reward him with a little apple, or any thing which 

 he likes. Now gradually pull as before, but a little more 

 and more on a line with the body, until he will follow 

 readily without being pulled upon. If you stand in front 

 of a green colt, and pull slowly and heavily upon him, he 

 will gradually, but firmly, pull against you, and will be 

 likely to rear up, and throw himself over backwards, or 

 throw himself down. Tie him by the head, and he will 



