Care and Management of Horses 95 
for a few hours each day for perhaps a week or less, depending on 
the individual. Real lines may now be substituted for the side- 
reins and the colt driven until he knows how to guide this way 
and that; to stop at the word ‘‘whoa,” and to step forward at the 
command “get up.” Train the colt to stand absolutely still when 
being harnessed, saddled, or when it is desired that he should stand. 
A horse that is continually stepping about while one is working 
with him is but half trained at best. 
164. Harnessing the colt. — After the colt has become familiar 
with the bitting apparatus and has learned to obey simple com- 
mands he may be harnessed. Do not use new harness, smelling 
of things unfamiliar, but one that has been in constant use, pref- 
erably by a horse that the colt knows. After being driven with 
the bitting apparatus for a time and the colt is rather tired, put 
him in his stall, bring the collar to him, let him smell of it if he 
likes, then put it right on as if he were an old horse. Now get 
the harness, walk up to him, and lift it gently over his back. Do 
not stand off and throw the harness over his back, for the loose 
straps hitting his back and abdomen will be resented, and he may 
kick. Walk behind him, put the crupper strap on, then step to 
the side and fasten the bands. 
The harness should be of good quality and in good repair; if a 
part breaks, there may be trouble and the colt ruined for all time. 
See to it that it fits perfectly. The colt’s shoulders are likely to 
be tender and easily abraded, and we must see that the collar fits 
him well. <A breast-collar is admissible when the load is light. 
The saddle and the crupper also need careful attention. Care 
should be taken to have them fit, neither too loose nor too tight, 
and then to keep them clean lest they abrade the back or tail 
and produce a vicious horse. 
165. Hitching double. — With the harness properly adjusted, 
the colt is ready to be hitched to a vehicle. Get a well-trained, 
gentle, but active horse if the colt is active, for it is a mistake to 
hitch a quick, active colt with a slow, lazy horse. The vehicle 
