116 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
believe that there is no limit to certain others. In the breaking process 
the kick-strap should not be left off until the habit has been acquired, 
nor should any pains be spared to prevent an initial performance at 
either rearing, backing, wheeling, or running. On the other hand, it is 
just as important not to overload a pair of draft colts, with a view of 
creating in them the notion that they can pull anything with two ends 
loose . . . Thus by exaggerating our equine servant’s notion of those 
of his powers which are most useful to us, and at the same time deceiving 
him as to those attributes which, if realized, might impair his usefulness, 
we promote his serviceability.” 
Thomas and Shields 89 advise that the colt be placed in a boxstall and 
haltered. The use of a strong five-ring leather halter is advocated. To 
break the -colt to stand tied, one horseman is quoted, as follows: “Take a 
five-eighths inch rope around the colt’s girth, slip the plain end through 
the nose, and draw the rope tight around the girth, pass the loose end 
of the rope between the colt’s legs and up through the halter ring. Tie 
end of rope to a ring in the stall and leave colt stand for an hour or so 
each day. This will break the colt to stand hitched, which is an impor¬ 
tant part of its education.” Other horsemen, the authors say, object to 
the practice of tying the colts in the stall except only after they are 
thoroughly halter broken. 
With regard to mannering the colt, Whiteley 89 writes: “We commence 
mannering the colts almost as soon as they are foaled, and soon accustom 
them to being handled. Our colts are haltered when they are two or 
three weeks old. We use an ordinary halter, and get a piece of half-inch 
hemp rope, about two and a half feet long, thoroughly wrapped at one 
end, or near the end, and with a snap hook attached to the other end, 
and snap the rope into the halter, letting the colt carry or drag it so as to 
become accustomed to carrying something, and in a way, to be guided 
by it.” 
Heather 89 is also of the opinion to put a halter on the colt, which is 
allowed to drag. He objects, however, to the use of ropes around the girth 
and hindquarter on account of injuries that might result. For further 
means of gentling the colt, he recommends putting a quiet man who is 
fond of salts who may play with the latter. 
According to McCarr 89 the colt is halter-broken “by putting a piece 
of three-eighths inch bell cord around it, the same as a breeching, and 
then a short piece or run over the back, directly over the flanks, connect¬ 
ing both sides, to keep it from falling down over the heels; then the two 
long pieces are run through the halter ring. The colt breaker takes the 
halter shank in one hand, and the two ends of the cord in the other, then 
gently pulls on the halter shank and gives the cord a sharp jerk. The 
colt will generally make a jump forward and in some cases attempt to 
kick, but it takes, as a rule, only one lesson for the colt to grasp the idea 
that with a pull of the halter shank it will also receive a jerk on the cord, 
so that after a few lessons it will obey and lead on the first pull of the 
shank.” Alley 89 is claimed to practice the same method modified in such 
a way, however, that the pull exerted on the halter rope and to the rope 
going around the colt is made equal. He points out the desirable affect of 
a steady pull, which would result in always making the colt step forward 
on account of the pressure behind. 
McDonald’s 89 method is described in the following way: “He uses the 
ordinary bitting rig, consisting of a surcingle, back band (with a ring on 
either side), crupper attachment, plain, open bridle without check, and 
a soft leather bit with a leather guard at either side of the mouth. The 
colt is led out into the yard or paddock and a short strap attached 
to the bit on one side and tied through one ring on the back band, 
tight enough to draw the colt’s head around to one side. The colt is then 
turned loose and allowed to wander where it will. As the head is turned 
