BITTING THE COLT. 49 



description here is unnecessary. The object being to bring 

 such restraint upon the bit that the head will be held up 

 and back most natural and easily, without giving freedom 

 to the head except in the direction of the reins. Care 

 should be taken to have the throat latch so loose, that there 

 will be no pressure of it upon the throat when checked up. 



Bitting the Colt. 



The gag-runners should be well up near the ears. Care 

 must be taken not to bring too much restraint upon the bit 

 by buckling the reins so short at first, as to endanger causing 

 the colt to throw himself over backwards 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 disagree- 

 able 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. 



After the usual course of checking up in this maniv.r,. 

 3 



