Care and Management of Horses 93 
immediately step forward. Do not be in a hurry, but give the 
colt time to get used to the lesson. Soon he will follow wherever 
you lead (Fig. 40). 
160. Training to drive with lines. — After the colt understands 
the uses of the halter and will lead, he may be taught to be driven 
with lines. To do this successfully a surcingle properly adjusted is 
required. The surcingle must bé provided with loops or rings 
on each side, placed well below the center of the body, the lines 
passed through these and fastened to the rings on either side of 
the halter; never use a bit in the mouth of a very young colt. 
Now the lines will pass the hind quarters low down, and thus pre- 
vent the colt from turning with his head towards the trainer. It is 
very important to keep the reins low in turning to make the guiding 
process easy. After a little, as the colt becomes accustomed to be- 
ing driven, he can be touched up with the lines, guided to the right or 
left, but he should be stopped often to assure him he is doing well. 
161. Training to the uses of the bit. — It is best perhaps to train 
the horse to the uses of the bit when he is about two years of age. 
The manner in which the horse is educated to know and mind the 
bit will go far towards determining his usefulness. Inasmuch as 
the conveyance of the master’s desire to the horse’s mind for execu- 
tion is through the hands, reins, bit, and mouth, no progress can 
be made and none should be attempted until this means of com- 
munication has been well established. 
162. Importance of a good mouth. — No factor contributes so 
much to the pleasure, comfort, and safety of either rider or driver 
as a, responsive mouth in a horse — one that always obeys promptly 
the slightest instruction from the master. A good mouth to a 
large extent is natural to the horse. Tender and bad mouths 
usually result from improper handling. Bad mouths are very 
aggravating and often the cause of many other imperfections — 
tongue lolling, crossing the jaws, hobbling, irregular and unsteady 
gaits, and the like — many of which when well established are very 
difficult to overcome. 
