38 TRAINING OF HORSES. 
come accustomed to being handled freely, you may then 
hitch him up single or double, as you choose, for he is 
now ready to drive. 
TEACHING THE COLT TO BACK. 
This should not be attempted until the colt; has been 
driven at least eight to ten days, nor until the habit of . 
readily stopping, starting, driving and obeying the reins 
has been formed. Since we have adopted this rule, no 
colt under our training has ever been known to balk, 
throw himself down in harness, run into the fence, or 
refuse to stand while the driver is getting into the car- 
riage, When sufficient time has elapsed to warrant you 
in undertaking to teach him to back, you will take a 
common bridle, or a bitting-bridle is best, and begin by 
taking hold of the side-reins, standing in front of the 
colt, and gently pushing backward, saying “Back!” at 
the time he steps back. This you will repeat until he 
readily takes two or. three steps backward, when you 
will release him for the present. At the next trial you 
may put on the reins and take your position behind 
him, passing the reins through the sideloops of the 
girth, or, if obliged to use a harness, through the thill- 
straps, holding the reins well down by his side to pre- 
vent him from turning round and facing you. Have him 
loosely checked. As you step behind him, pull gently 
on the reins, and as he steps backward say “Back!” and 
immediately slacken the lines. <A half an hour’s exer- 
cise is usually sufficient at a time, repeating the opera- 
tion until he backs readily. It is well to give him one 
