56 HANDLING THE COLT'S FEET. 



the strap until the foot is almost back to its natural posi- 

 tion. Then as he will bear, again pull a little shorter, at 

 the same time pulling him round in a circle by the head, 

 until he ceases struggling to get the foot loose. You may 

 now pull the foot farther forward, and hold it as before, 

 until he will stand quietly. Now step back a little and pass 

 the hand down the hind leg. Slap the hand upon the leg 

 a little until there is no resistance, then take it in the hands. 

 If there is no resistance, undo the end of the strap and 

 allow the foot a little more freedom; at the same time while 

 holding the foot by the strap, pass the hand from the hip 

 down the leg quietly, rubbing and caressing until able to 

 take it in the hands. 



Handle the opposite leg in the same manner, until there 

 is perfect submission. Should the colt resist having the 

 feet handled with much determination, or prove very 

 vicious, the regular subjective treatment will be necessary. 

 Those of a wildish mustang disposition are the most obsti- 

 nate; there is once in a while one of this class that will call 

 for pretty thorough and patient treatment to make gentle. 

 They are not only so plucky, but so strong and enduring 

 that they are disposed to resist control of the feet at all 

 hazards. It is of great importance that colts are treated 

 with great kindness; giving apples, a little oats, etc., after 

 submitting the feet or being otherwise handled, as the real 

 cause of trouble is fear, and winning the confidence by a 

 little flattery in this way has a powerful effect in disconcert- 

 ing the attention and winning the confidence, and thus of 

 teaching obedience. All this is now so easily done when 

 necessary by the ordinary subjective course, that it seems 

 needless to dwell on minor conditions and details ; you 

 must bear in mind that bad cases call for a little work and 

 patience, and that you must be not only thorough, but pru- 

 dent, to be successful. 



