78 The Diseases of Animals 
break it if backed into them while they are on the floor 
or ground. 
In hitching up horses, the lines should be fastened 
into the bits and then disengaged and placed where they 
can easily be reached before hitching the horse to the 
vehicle; in unhitching, the lines should be the last part 
of the harness to be “done up,” and precautions should 
be taken that the animal is free from the vehicle before 
attempting to lead him away. 
BREAKING COLTS 
In breaking colts, the common mistake is made of 
trying to teach them too much at once. Be sure that 
the colt understands the first lesson and has it thor- 
oughly learned before another one is attempted. One 
of the first lessons is to “halter-break” the young colt. 
This should be done while he is a suckling. A 
strong, well-fitting halter should be placed on him, and 
he should be tied short near to his mother and in such 
a position that he cannot pull back too far or throw 
and choke himself. Fig. 24. Colts should always be 
tied strongly so there is no danger of breaking loose, for 
if he breaks loose once he is very likely to try it again. 
Little colts should be gently but firmly treated, so that 
they will have confidence in the trainer. Avoid making 
great pets of colts, as such animals are usually difficult 
to break, being lawless and headstrong. After the colt is 
well halter-broken, so that he can be tied and led, it is 
a good plan to allow the colt to accompany the mother 
by tying his halter to her hame or collar; thus he 
