BITTING. 43 



horse after being once handled, especially if he works 

 in well. If I subject a colt, no matter how bad a one, to 

 treatment, when I bring him under complete control, they 

 think that is all that it is necessary to do ; that he must 

 stay so, or the treatment is good for nothing. 



All horses are not alike in disposition or intelligence, as 

 I have shown in the first part; and the point is to insure 

 absolute certainty of success. If one bucket of water 

 will not put a fire out, the point is to throw on more, and 

 put on enough until sure every smouldering spark is extin- 

 guished. This is precisely the rule in making the colt 

 gentle. You are acting upon a certain side of the nervous 

 system : if one lesson does not make the impression 

 strong enough to accomplish your purpose, repeat until 

 you do. If the colt is warming up too much, or you find 

 that he is at all doubtful, upon trial next day, repeat 

 the lesson until you know the colt is gentle, and shows no 

 fear under any excitement. You are now ready for the 

 next step, of getting sufficient control upon the mouth to 

 guide and restrain the horse as you desire, in harness. For 

 quick, sharp work in doing this, the breaking-bit is indis- 

 pensable ; but the great power of this bit is a reason for 

 using it with caution in the control of a green colt. If 

 you once get the mouth too tender and free to the bit, it is 

 difficult, in many cases, to get the mouth hard, so that there 

 is a strong pressure of the jaw against it in driving. Then 

 a horse with a tender mouth is liable to rein back too 

 freely when pulled upon : this trouble you may cause by 

 using the breaking-bit too freely at the start. You must 

 aim to make a good, firm mouth, yet one that is like a 

 steel spring to your control of the reins. If you have a 

 valuable colt and wish to work slowly and carefully, I 

 would advise the following course : 



BITTING. 



The mouth, in the first place, should be made accustomed 

 to the bit ; then, by gradually shortening the check-rein, the 

 mouth is made to submit to restraint. To do this, put on 

 a common bridle, with a smooth snaffle-bit, without reins, 

 and allow him to go as he pleases, in a yard or field, for 

 half an hour or more, which may be repeated once or 



