84 THE COLT'S EDUCATION. 



Very soon he should be gently accustomed to the harness 

 and taught its harmless ness, and then broken to the bit. 

 Next, a strong line should extend from the bit nearest the 

 shaft and fastened firmly to it, and another line should run 

 from the opposite bit through the turret ring and to the 

 hand of the driver. Thus, the pair can be driven together, 

 the youngster's gait being constantly influenced, and quite a 

 little speed developed without having him draw or carry any 

 weight, and while he feels the conditions are perfectly 

 natural. The only difficulty to be encountered will be that 

 the colt will get in the way of the wheel. This is easily 

 avoided by attaching a small bent pole to the shaft at one 

 end and at the other end to a piece of iron in the shape of a 

 wrench, which must be firmly keyed to the nut of the wheel, 

 on the side where the colt is driven. 



As the colt grows older, he may be attached by traces to 

 a light bar extending from the shafts, and allowed to feel 

 the collar, and get accustomed to all the shake and rattle of 

 road gear, of which the unbroken three-year-old is at first 

 so much afraid. The youngster may be too small for any 

 harness at first, but it is easy to get up a simple and strong 

 one. 



If home-made (which it may be without expense), nothing 

 besides leather is so good as two small manilla ropes, side 

 by side. After the little harness is completed, soak it in 

 fine tar, and dry it thoroughly, and it will be almost inde- 

 structible and easily washed. 



The first lesson the colt should learn is confidence in the 

 master. Getting mad and saying cuss words will not give a 

 colt confidence, but gentleness and a little sugar will. 



No harsh word should ever be spoken in the hearing of a 

 colt. Everything should be done to teach him that man is 

 his friend. His education cannot begin too early. The 



