T11K COLT'S EDUCATION. 85 



longer it is postponed, the more difficult it becomes, and the 

 more patience it demands. 



Care should be had when a colt is first driven not to get 

 it heated, or it will become more restive, and slouch around 

 in the harness, and likely enough stop, or try to lie down 

 and roll. 



Never work about a colt rapidly, as if in a hurry ; it only 

 makes him nervous, and this causes him to lose presence of 

 mind. Whipping is rarely better than coaxing and petting. 



If the colt is stubborn about taking the bit, lead it into a 

 stall and put a rope with a slipping noose around its neck ;. 

 then put the bit into its mouth, doing the work as gently as 

 possible. The colt will very likely pull back and choke 

 itself. After a moment's choking relieve it and try again. 

 With a few such lessons the colt will hold its head down and 

 give no more trouble. 



After the colt has learned to be guided by the bit, he 

 should be used in various ways for a week before he is 

 driven. The first lesson will be to get him accustomed to 

 the harness. He should not be frightened by it, but care- 

 fully taught what it is. He should smell of it, look it over 

 and learn it will not harm him, during several hours if nec- 

 essary. Previous to driving, the colt should be led an hour 

 every day and taught to draw by the collar and whiffletree 

 many things like a stick of timber, bush, stoneboat or other 

 things of which he is likely to be afraid in the future. He 

 should become accustomed from the first to robes, umbrellas, 

 high loads, blanketed cattle, steam rollers, locomotives and 

 whatever else of which he is likely to be afraid. He must 

 be quietly but firmly led up to the object of his fear, being 

 talked to kindly meanwhile. 



Tying. During the first two or three years of his life in 

 servitude he should never be fastened by anything smaller 



