THE WEANLING COLT. 23 



a pony, there is some difiference of opinion as to 

 when this should be done. One prominent colt 

 man advises breaking the colt in this manner with- 

 in a day or two after weaning. He says the 

 advantage of breaking beside a pony the next 

 day after weaning is : the colt will be lonesome and 

 will follow the pony naturally. Start the lesson in 

 a yard with an assistant to go behind the colt till 

 it is used to leading. The leading should be done 

 every day till the colt is well broken. If the colt 

 handler is not an expert in leading colts beside a 

 pony, give only a few lessons in this direction, as 

 the colts will get to side pulling and will learn 

 other vices. If the handler is expert in this direc- 

 tion', the colt's leading may be increased, with an 

 occasional brush at nearly the limit of its speed, 

 but do not overdo it. Let the colt have his head 

 and trot as naturally as possible. • 



O. H. Sholes is one who does not believe in 

 breaking a colt to lead beside a pony. He says : 

 "It is time thrown away. It is effort in the wrong 

 direction. We drive horses in races, we do not 

 lead them. It does not add to their value, but 

 diminishes their worth. It costs money, to make 

 speed beside a pony and you have to do it all over 

 again when the time comes for driving. I don't 

 think a colt should be taught to follow." 



Roy Miller writes: "I am not in favor of lead- 

 ing colts, never was, and I don't believe I ever will 

 be; however, a great many of our very best colt 



