126 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOK. 



cnafflc, or other trotting bit according to the delicacy of the hand of the 

 driver, or mouth of the horse. We prefer, after they are way wise and 

 used to the curb, to drive them thus, until they have acquired the proper 

 carriage, and this entirely without the bearing rein. The object accom- 

 plished in this is, the horse becomes entirely subservient to the driver but 

 at the same time learns to rely on himself so far as sure-footedness is 

 concerned. When he will go in proper form he may be driven with a 

 trotting bit, until he has learned to extend himself fully, when he may 

 again be placed in the curb, and if delicately handled w^ill give satisfaction 

 any where on the road. Thus trained under the curb, when used with a 

 trotting bit, they may be made to exhibit all the style they are capable of 

 at an ordinary gait, and niay be shaken up instantly for a brush and ex- 

 tend themselves to the utmost. 



In trotting at any speed the horse must be trained to take hold of the 

 bit, so he may be steadied by the rein. He must never be allowed to 

 suppose that this hold of the bit is for the purpose of pulling on. It is 

 to be used simply to steady himself, and as a means of quick comprehen- 

 sion of the driver's wishes. 



XV. How to Train for the Plow. 



In training a team for plowing, they must be made to walk at such a 

 pace as will lay the best furrow, to walk evenly and straight ahead, with- 

 out pulling apart or crowding each other, to obey the slightest check of 

 the driver in laying out lands, and at the end of the furrow to come im- 

 mediately and quickly about. To this end the reins should be carefully 

 adjusted, the whiffle trees should be as light as will suffice to do the 

 work, and the team must never be over driven. In stony or grubby land 

 they must be kept so completely under control, as never to spring for- 

 ward when the plow strikes an obstruction. 



In turning quartering about at the end, on square lands, in plowing 

 right handed furrows, the near horse should back slightly, that the off 

 horse may not step on his feet, and the traces should be kept slack 

 enough so the plowman may easily enter the point of the plow in the 

 next furrow. 



In back furrowing, the section of the circle described must be that 

 which will bring the plow, with the aid of the plowman, most easily to 

 the next furrow, the off horse in this case, keeping slightly behind. 



In plowing there is nothing gained by hurrying a team, and then 

 ftopping to rest. Plowing is hard work because it is a constant strain on 

 ^^rticular sets of muscles. The team, however, may be very much eased 



