Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Colt

A colt is good for nothing if it does not break its halter.French.

A colt you may break, but an old horse you never can.

A kindly aver (colt) never makes a good horse.

A ragged colt may make a good horse.

A wild colt may become a sober horse.

He has a colt’s tooth yet in his old head.

How can the foal amble when the horse and mare trot.

Ragged colts may make fine horses.

The best colt needs breaking.

The colt’s tooth is still in his mouth.Massinger.

The tricks that a colt gets at his breaking
Will, whilst he lives, ne’er be lacking.

The wildest colts make the best horses when they come to be properly broke and handled.Themistocles.

There is no colt but breaks some halter.Italian.

You may break a colt but not an old horse.