266 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



The colt should then be led about, stopping and 

 starting, time and time again until it has some 

 comprehension of the word of command. The feet 

 should be lifted so that the colt realizes that the 

 trainer has no intention to do him harm. After 

 good terms have been established the colt should 

 be practised on the lunge, the trainer standing in 

 the center of a circle, and letting the colt walk first 

 and then trot slowly around the circumference of 

 the circle — first to the right, then to the left. 

 These short lessons should be given every day. 

 Soon a colt enjoys the exercise, evidently think- 

 ing it play. If it be a driving horse that is 

 being trained, harness should soon be added so 

 that the colt will not be afraid of it, and also a 

 light bridle with a snaffle-bit or, better still, a 

 leather bit. If it be a saddle-horse that is being 

 trained, the lunging and bitting should continue 



until the colt is passed two years old before he is 

 saddled or mounted. 



Suppose we take the saddle-horse first. Two- 

 year-old colts are often trained by light weight 

 riders. At three their serious education is contin- 

 ued, and at four they are given their accomplish- 



