The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-07-23
AGRICULTURAL
Rearing and Breaking Cohs.


Rearing and Breaking Colts.
The profit, in rearing horses, depends
very materially upon the manner of their
training. Indeed, many noble animal has
been spoiled. or nearly 50, BY bad manage
ment in breaking. Often the constitution is
50 broken, that @e naturally mettles9me
creature is despoiled of all spirit or ambition.
In the frst place, there is great fault
among farmers generally, with regard to
breaking colts. They should never be suf-
fered to get poor, at least not until four years
old. The shape and form, as well as size of
many colts, are materially impaired by poor
keeping the. first two winters. If colt is
suffered 70 get down thin during the winter,
il will not only require the greater part OF
summer to get him back where he was the
fall before, buthis head and limbs will grow
large and iil-shaped.
The colt, at weaving, should be put into a
field where there IS water, with trough to
feed grain; and from that time until one wear
old should have grain every day. Many
colts are spoiled during the first three months
after weaning Taken from the mare, fat,
round and handsome, they are turned where
they have but little food, less water, and no
grain, and left to run until almost starved to
death then kept the rest of the winter on
straw, without shelter. In the spring they
are lousy, and but just alive, and ever so
good care aftergard cannot make such colts
what they would otherwise have BEEN
Colts should have grain every winter un-
Ill four years old. Iwould commence break
ing the winter before three years old. See
that the colt is in a good, healthy, thriving
condition. Meyer break 3 poor weak colt,
unless you want to break his constitution.
Get new rope, 5ths of an inch in diameter
otwhich make a slip halter; larger rope
would be burthensome--one much smaller
ayould be apt to indegt the grisly part of the
nose, and tlh#s injure the shape of the face.
When haltered, the colt should not be tied
fast, as they will be liable to pull and strain
phe cords of the neck but hold the rope with
Sufficient strength to keep them, checking
up occasionally to relieve the muscles of the
head and neck.
When sufficiently suhdued to be managed
by ene hand, which will generally take but
q few moments, the person holding the rope
shnnid walk to and fro before him, giving at
each side a slight jerk upon the rope, which,
in little time will learn the animal to follow
the string before it is pulled. This should
be dQne daily, until he can be led OF handled
anywhere. Next apply the bit. Never use
a curb, but take bride with a common
Fnaffic bit, with gag reins to hold up the head,
Fpd aarHDgaies tp held in the nQse-the
Teins attached to crupper and fastened firm
" on the back with a circingle. The reins
ghould not be drawn too tight at first, but
be bukled qp occasionally, until drawn close,
and kept i'll this condition the greater part of
the day, for at least one week, taking off the
pit at right: While hitting, handle, curry,
pad drive around
Next put on the harness Secure, if pos
sible, harness with gag reins, crupper,
partingales, DC, and buckle all up close.
After little attach to some light vehicle,
and drive in walk-learn colt to walk first,
n quicker pace can be acquired afterward.
A colt should never be put to load requir-
ing his utmost strength to move, until four
years aid, Colts may be driven in harness,
with light load, and without injury, much +
younger than they can be used under the
saddle, They should be trained in the sta
ble to understand and obey all that is said {
to them. Learn colt to go, and back, and
hold back, by the word of mouth. Never
whip, except in the stable, If young
horse is inclined to stop, or balk, as it is call
ed, (when they manifest this disposition,
stop them, and never let them know that
they stop of their own accord. +fsf
Never hurry fckle horse, young or old t
SLACK Np or lay down your reins, and wait ,
patiently fifteen minutes; then start quietly,
and so manage until entirely cured, WHICH
Till seldom fail.
Colts, after driving, should be cleaned and
ruhh0d thoroughly before entirely cool; this
will prevent soreness, wind gals, &c, +
When thoroughly trained to the harness,
then break to ride. This should be done by
pne haEnldl--7good IAN bride, martingales, girth
drawn tight-zgat on, and stick. If well
trained to the bit and harness, there will be
20 difficulty in breaking to ride--Mich. Far.
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