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Show "BITTING THE COLT." Much has been said and written in regard to "bitting the colt," and "bitting machines" have been devised for the purpose. Much damage has been done colts' mouths by the use of these "bitting machines." There is no need of anything of the kind. The colt can gradually become accustomed to the bit. The advice of W. H. H. Murray in this matter, as given in his work entitled "The Perfect Horse," is excellent. He says "The true way to bit a colt is not to bit him at all; that is, let him bit himself. When my colts are one year old I begin to teach them to hold a bit in their mouth. The bit is of pine, some half inch in diameter, and five inches in length. This piece of soft wood is held in the mouth by a cord tied to either end, and passing over the head back of the ears. The colt loves to have this in his mouth, because it enables him to bring forward the teething process. He will bite it and work it over in his mouth, and enjoy it hugely. He will welcome it, and will actually reach out and open his mouth for it as a trained horse will for the bit. After a few days you can tie strings, making miniature reins, to this bit, and teach the colt the proper use for it. When this is done he is ready for the regular steel bit. Put your bridle on with a lead for a bit, large and pliant-throw your cheek line, if your bridle has one attached, into the pigsty, get into your wagon, and drive off. This is all the ‘bitting' that your colt needs. Treated in this way, he will have a lively, yielding, sensational mouth. He will take the bit ?? when working up to his speed, but yield readily to the driver's will.-N. Y. Sun. |
