76 HOW TO EDUCATE HORSES. 



halter. The reason for doing this is of course very 

 apparent. He cannot understand how anything can 

 pull the hind part of his body and his head at the same 

 time; and on feeling the strain behind, he will go for- 

 ward and thus you will accomplish your object with- 

 out being compelled to use force. Taking this rope in 

 the right hand, and standing directly in front of the 

 colt, say, in a decided manner, " Come here," and at 

 the same time pull the rope sharply. He will invari- 

 ably move forward, and when he does so, caress him. 

 Repeat this operation two or three times, until he 

 will quickly move forward, when you say " Come here." 



Then with this rope hitch him to the manger or to 

 a post, and, standing in front of him, open and shut 

 umbrellas, shake buffalo robes and beat tin pans ; in 

 fact, make as much noise and confusion as possible 

 without touching him. Of course he cannot think of 

 two things at once, and the rope, tied around him 

 behind, catches him by surprise, and he will end by 

 giving up trying to get away when he finds that he is 

 freer from pain when he is quiet and still than when 

 jerking his head. For a very nervous horse put the 

 rope as far forward as possible around the body. 

 This treatment can be applied until he is thoroughly 

 halter-broke. The same arrangement is the most 

 successful one in existence for halter-pullers, and is 

 also a most valuable assistant in leading a horse 

 behind a wagon. How many people are at their wits' 

 ends continually when on a long ride with a horse 

 tied to the carriage behind ! — and yet this simple in- 

 vention would prevent it all, and they would not be 

 obliged to even give the horse a thought. 



The next lesson to be given to the colt should be 

 the harnessing. First, put on the open bridle with 

 the straight bar bit, and run the lines back throBgb 



