270 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



is harnessed and driven around with a pair of 

 long reins, being guided by the driver to one way 

 and another, and being stopped and started at 

 the word of command. When the colt is harnessed 

 to the cart a strong kicking strap should be used. 

 A few lessons a week driven in such a cart will 

 work wonders so that when the colt is two years 

 old there will be no difficulty in driving him in an 

 ordinary road cart. In driving a colt the same pre- 

 cautions should be used as in training a colt for 

 the saddle — it should not be frightened or 

 treated roughly. 



It is probably more important to accustom a 

 young driving horse than a riding horse to the 

 sights and sounds that are likely to be encount- 

 ered on the road. Here, too, patience and gentle 

 firmness are amply rewarded. Whenever I see a 

 driver thrashing a young horse to compel him to 

 go by an automobile or a trolley car or some 

 other strange and fearsome thing, I have a desire 

 to get the whip and apply it to the driver. Such 

 treatment of a horse is not only cruel, but it is 

 utterly foolish. The horse is frightened at what 

 he sees. He is afraid that in some way it will hurt 



