82 TRAINING OF HORSES. 
girth at the side. Perform the same operation on the 
offside. You will see that by tying the rope to the 
girth well up the sides toward the check-hook, it will 
compel -him to hold his head high and will throw the; 
nose out; by tying: them well down on the side, it will 
lower the head and curve the neck, at the same time 
giving him the power to move the head up and down 
with considerable ease. In cases where bitting. is re 
quired only for the purpose of suppling. and developing 
the muscles of the neck, this bridle should be used, as 
we have never known a horse to be injured by falling 
backward by being geared in this bridle. Having your 
bridle prepared, you may now proceed to 
BITTING THE COLT. 
In placing the- bitting-bridle upon the colt great 
care should be taken not to buckle any of the straps 
very tight at first,as you might give pain and alarm 
the animal. Be particular and have the throat -latch 
loose enough, so that when he straightens up it will 
not choke him. Many horses have been ruined by care- 
lessness in this particular. In gearing him up care 
should be taken that the check is not too tight at first, 
lest he should in rearing go over backward and fall 
on the top of his head; another reason ‘s, that he will 
_thereby yield more reaiily to the side-reins. ' The. 
checking up should be governed by the length and 
form of the neck and shoulders. The side-straps should 
be buckled just sufficiently to impose restraint upon the 
