TRAINING THE MOUTH. 



113 



ting only holds the head to a fixed position of restraint, and does 

 not give the idea of doing this practically, which, as stated, is the 

 point to be attained. This I learned to do easily with the. Breaking 

 Bit as follows : Put on an open bridle with smooth snaffle-bit a little 

 longer than common if attainable, with harness which should be so 

 fitted as to rest easily upon the body. I was in all cases in the 

 habit of giving* the head entire freedom, and I made it an important 

 point that the horse could see me, consequently used no blinders. 

 The reins should be brought back through the shaft or lug-bearers. 



Fig. 141.— When Pulled upon Very Hard, is Liable to Rear and Throw himself over Backward. 



Get directly behind and drive the colt around slowly. When he 

 pulls ahead, give a little raking jerk, then slack instantly, and so re- 

 peat. Do the" same for throwingthe head down and lugging, which 

 will bring the head up and back, simply repeatirfg until the mouth 

 is submitted freely to moderate resistance and held in position, 

 Sometimes the colt will fight this quite hard. If he is at all sullen, 

 and resists hard, the Breaking Bit must be substituted. It will re- 

 quire a good deal of work to make your point, and at best can only 

 be accomplished imperfectly with anything like an ordinary driving 

 bit. In such a case you are to substitute the Breaking Bit, which 

 enables you to make your points very easily and quickly. Even 



