and a quarter of an inch thick, then part the horse's mane in the
centre, turning one half towards the ears, and the other towards the
back of the horse; next tie the rope by one end in a hard knot that
will not slip--not too tightly--round the horse's neck in the place
at which the mane is divided, having the knot on the right side of
the neck; then pass the loose end of the rope forwards, along the
right side of the neck, into the horse's mouth and back along the
left side of the neck to that part of the rope which surrounds the
horse's neck, and underneath which it is passed; than take the loose
end of the rope in your hand, and you have the persuader or bit
completed. By pulling on the end which you now hold, you draw his
mouth up towards his throat, and can thereby inflict the most
excruciating torture that is possible for a horse to undergo, and
the beauty of it is, without the least injury to the animal. One
pull on this persuader is more dreaded by the horse than a whole
day's flogging with raw-hide. In fact he cannot stand it; no matter
how ugly his tricks may be, such as kicking, balking or anything
else, if you use the persuader on him at the time, you can conquer
him at once; make him as meek as a lamb, and glad to do anything to
escape the torture inflicted by the persuader. A few times is all
you will have to use it, even on the most sulky animal, until you
will see no more of his tricks, and he is completely conquered.


305. TO HALTER WILD COLTS

How to approach and halter the wildest colt of any age without
danger, and lead him quietly, is as follows: choose a large floor,
that of a wagonhouse answers well, strew it over with straw two or
three inches deep, turn your colt into it, follow him in with a