Breaking Colts 81 
and traces should be attached and arranged so that they 
will not flop, and the colt hitehed up with a reliable, but 
quick-acting horse. It is a mistake to hitch a quick, 
active colt with a slow, lazy horse; his actions will be 
very irritating and confusing to the colt. After being 
driven double a while, the pair may be attached to a sub- 
stantial vehicle. When hitching a colt up double for 
the first time, it is a good plan to keep a pair of single 
lines on the colt’s bridle, which ean be handled by an 
assistant. 
In hitching up double, a good, heavy wagon is pref- 
erable, and especially one with a brake. The colt 
should be placed on the “off” side, as he is more easy 
to manage there, and can be touched with the whip 
better. After the colt is familiar with the harness, 
wagon and equipment, he can be hitched up single. 
Some horse-trainers prefer to break the colt in shafts 
before hitching him up double. A breaking cart for 
hitching up colts single should be substantial, with long, 
heavy thills, and the seat arranged behind so that the 
driver can get on and off quickly. The colt should be 
hitched far enough forward in the shafts so that he can- 
not kick to do any damage. A strap (commonly called 
a kick-strap), attached to each shaft and passed over 
the colt’s croup, should always be used until the colt is 
well accustomed to the thills. 
When the colt is first hitched up single in a two- 
wheeled cart, an attendant should hold him until the 
driver is ready, then he should be allowed to go. As 
soon as he becomes familiar with the cart, he should 
be compelled to stand until he is told to start. 
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