224 HANDLING THE COLT 



for two reasons ; one being that, if you do remove him 

 at first, the colt will be wild to get out of his place of 

 confinement to follow his friend, and run neighing and 

 half-crazy round the stable with fear and excitement, 

 either of which would retard your operations for a con- 

 siderable time ; the other reason is, that you can use the 

 quiet horse as the most effectual medium of quieting 

 and handling the colt. I must, however, make one 

 proviso, that you are a quiet, steady man yourself, or 

 you will cut a poor figure in trying to quiet a raw colt. 

 You will have taken the precaution of placing a couple of 

 feeds of com in the manger of the stall, and by talking 

 to and patting the old horse, having the colt on his right 

 side whilst feeding, the latter will not be alarmed at your 

 approach, gaining confidence from his leader ; and after 

 standing in this position a short time, you can proceed 

 to handle him gradually about the head and neck, until 

 he becomes familiarised to your touch, when you may run 

 your hand over every part of his body. 



According to the temper of the colt will be the time 

 required to make him submit patiently and without fear 

 to this first operation of handling. Some are very ticklish 

 about the head and ears, and with these you must deal 

 very cautiously and steadily, without showing any im- 

 patience yourself, bearing in mind that, as all your after- 

 proceedings will be regulated by this first lesson, a whole 

 day, if necessary, would be well spent in being devoted 

 to this purpose. The great object is at first, by gentle 

 means and kind words, and by slow degrees, to divest the 

 colt of all fear of you, and gain his confidence ; and when 

 this has been effected, all the other lessons will follow in 

 easy succession. Many horse-breakers are in too great 

 a hurry to set to work with colts, verifying the old adage 



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