Harness your horse: handle him in the forehead a few minutes. Let some
one lead him, whilst you hold the reins and go behind him with a whip
in your hand. Make him advance, by speaking to him; then speak to him to
stop, at the same time you pull upon the reins. Exercise him a few
minutes in this way, then handle him again in the forehead. Make him
advance: let the person who led him now go before, at a little distance,
then further off, till at last the horse will suffer himself to be
driven, without any one being before him. Now let him drag a small piece
of wood, with some one going before as at first, till he suffers himself
to be driven without. Exercise him a few minutes, in this way, then with
something larger, that will make considerable noise. I have always made
use of a barrel, fixed so that it would roll round, and in which I put a
quantity of round stones; but, as stones are difficult to be procured in
this part of the country, their place can be supplied by something else.
Give the horse a good exercise, in the same gentle, progressive manner
as above, till he will suffer himself to be driven with this last load
in every direction, without the necessity of any one going before him.
Then put him to an empty cart, and continue on, in the same progressive
manner. Never pull upon the reins, to stop your horse, without speaking
to him. I have never yet failed of success in putting a horse to a coach
or gig; but, it is certain, that there are some horses so fiery and
vicious, that few persons would have patience enough to succeed. I here
speak of those horses that have contracted vicious habits, after having
been broken for a long time. Never fail to give your horse a very small
quantity of salt, after having exercised him to go in a cart or gig. Do
not give him more than a thimble-full at a time. He will generally go
well the first day; but he ought to have a few hours exercise each day,
for a few days.