BITTING. 45 



wards and break his neck. It is bad policy to keep a colt 

 checked up too long at a time, as it becomes tiresome, 

 which would cause a resting of the head upon the bit, and 

 thus form the disagreeable habit of lugging. If, however, 

 the colt should fight the restraint of the bit or check, it 

 should be left on till the fit exhausts itself, and he shows a 

 disposition to submit to its restraint. 



Short lessons at first, and gradually keeping on longer 

 as the mouth becomes hardened by the bit and the colt 

 will bear it without fatigue, is the best course. 



You are now ready for the next step of teaching, to 

 rein right and left, stop, back, &c. 



Put on the harness-reins through shaft-lugs, and see 

 how the colt works : if too stiff or stubborn to the bit, 

 put in the breaking-bit. Give him a lesson with it. One 

 lesson of a few minutes is usually enough. Be sure you 

 do not do too much, so as not to get the mouth too tender. 

 This is a point you must be careful to avoid. If he resists 

 the pull of the reins either way, drill on that point until 

 he turns easily and promptly as desired. Next, teach him 

 to stand. This is not usually difficult to do, yet in some 

 cases requires much care and patience to do well. While 

 driving on a moderate walk, speak " whoa," in a natural 

 tone of voice, and immediately after give a sharp little 

 jerk with the reins. This will cause the horse to stop, 

 but usually he will start on again. Repeat the command, 

 and pull, and continue repeating, until the colt learns to 

 stand. Do not let him go back. Appreciate obedience 

 by a caress and kind treatment. Give a little something 

 of which he is fond. Remember that now you are creating 

 habits that will, if well established, last for life, and the 

 safest course is to go slow. You cannot certainly do harm 

 by this course ; for no matter how awkward, if patient and 

 careful, it will compensate for much want of skill. It will 

 also give the colt something of a chance to learn what to 

 do. 



Your next object should be to drive the colt in shafts. 

 A four-wheeled wagon is not the thing to drive in at first, 

 because so bad to turn with ; and before this is attempted 

 you must know the colt will rein freely and reliably. A 

 little care will guard you from possible trouble, and the 



