CHAPTER IX. 

 EARLY EDUCATION OF THE HORSE. 



In order thab he may never chafe against restraint, the 

 horse should never know perfect freedom. From the hour 

 he is foaled he should be accustomed to the sight of man, 

 and belief in man's power should increase with his know- 

 ledge. He must be treated with kindness ; but indul- 

 gence will spoil his temper, and he acquires a contempt 

 for the authority that is tardily enforced. "^ 



At six months of age the colt should be broken to fol- 

 low with the halter, and be made to submit at any time 

 when his resistance cannot have such success as to en- 

 courage him in rebellion. At two years of age he should 

 be made to bear the saddle without repugnance, and to 

 know the effects of the bit. If he is intended for riding 

 purposes he should never be put in a bitting-machine, as 

 all contrivances of that kind teach him to bear upon the 

 hand, a habit that is incompatible with perfect manners. 

 But, from the time he is two years old, he should be 

 lunged, at intervals that will insure his retaining that 

 which is taught him, with the cavesson, or nose-band, 

 used for breaking-in horses. 



By the time he is ready to bear the weight of the rider 



he should be perfectly familiar with the stable, and 



should submit to all the manipulations of the groom. 



At three years of age, if he be a well-developed colt, he 



(72) 



