42 



KINDNESS. 



the more inclined to resist the restraint of the halter, con- 

 sequently the more difficult to make yield to the halter, or 

 to hold by the head. When once broken, however, they 

 are honest and reliable afterwards. When the colt is 

 gentle to handle, and leads nicely, your work is more than 

 half done. The course I usually pursue is this : If the 

 colt will bear it, I put on the harness at once, after making 

 him gentle and teaching him to lead, passing the reins 

 through the shaft-bearers, which enables keeping him 



First lesson in driving the Colt with reins. 



from turning around. (See cut.) If the reins are through 

 the turrets, it will be difficult to keep him from doing this. I 

 drive him around gently, not attempting to stop or back until 

 he gets the idea, will turn right and left promptly, and sub- 

 mit to the control of the bit, which he soon learns. This 

 should be done in a yard or field, where you have room, 

 and nothing to annoy. If, however, the colt is warm, and 

 does not work in easily and promptly, do not attempt to 

 drive him in harness ; treat him kindly as you can, and 

 put him in good quarters ; repeat this lesson the next day, 

 and he will usually work well in a short time. Any way, 

 repeat, and test him hard on this point of being touched 

 and handled around the hind parts, until you know he 

 will with certainty bear any thing in the way of pole or 

 shaft against his quarters, &c., without resistance or fear. 

 A good many are so short-sighted and thoughtless, as to 

 think a colt should behave and act as gentle as an old 



