1966-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1966 October Voice RS | Page 63
BITTING THE COLT
A broken snaffel bit was chosen to start this colt with.
It is a common type of bit with a large ring (see picture)
on each side and is easy on the colts mouth. A caveson
was used in conjunction with the bridle although it is not
absolutely necessary' at this time.
After the bridle and bit were in place, the colt was giv
en time to adjust to the feeling of having this strange
device in the mouth and was lead in the hallway a few
times to adjust to the tugging and pull of the reins.
NEW SHOES—Here you can see the farriers handiwork. Note
the small pad between the shoe and the hoof. The hoof was
trimmed evenly to give her a good firm footing at the natural
angle of the hoof. Note the cushion made by the pad . . .
protecting the frog and the underside of the foot while working
the colt.
THE FIRST RIDE
On several previous occasions, this colt had been rid
den bareback to adjust to having the weight of a person
on her. She objected but soon learned that it would not
hurt her. A saddle had also been put on her on several
previous occasions.
Her trainer for this “first ride” moved close to her
and held the bridle and caveson straps in his left hand
and while holding on to the front of the saddle and the
reins at the same time with his right hand, put his left
foot in the stirrup. As the colt moved about, he moved
with her, making no attempt to mount at first. As soon
as the colt became adjusted to this activity, he slowly
rose in the stirrup and eased his leg over her back. The
first impulse of this colt was to lunge from side to side and
then she broke into a variety of gaits in an effort to
dislodge her rider.
It would be wise to point out here that we are break
ing this colt in the hallway of a large training barn. This
enables the colt to move about but gives some definite
restrictions and enables the trainer to teach her the com
mands of “start” and “go” at the same time she is be
coming bridlewise. It has been said that a horse learns
by “repetition and force” and the back and forth, end to
end activity within the hall of a stable is good for a
young horse.
(Continued on page 66)
KE BRIDLE & BIT—Note the broken snaffcl
rings. The check leather and the reins are both attached
FAKING it UP—The bridle was a bit too large for this
^articular colt and a new hold was punched in it to take it
JD about one inch. Note that the caveson hangs loose under
neath the colts chin. The bit should touch but not bind the
orner of the colts mouth.
63
OCTOBER, 1966