Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-21
AGRICULTURAL.
Rearing aua Breaking Coils.

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 SO. by bad man.
sgement in breaking. Often the constitu-
ton is so broken that the naturally mettle-
some creature is despoiled ofall spirit or
ambition.
In the first place, there is great fault
among farmers generally, with regard to
keeping 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 i'm
paired by poor keeping the first two win
ters. lfa colt is suffered 10 get downturn
in the winter, it will not only require the
greater part Of summer to get him back
where he was the fall before, but his head
and limbs will grow large and ill-shapcd
The colt, at weaving, shouldbc put into
field where there is water, with trough
to feed grain; and froih that time until one
year old, should have grain every day
Many colts are spoiled during the FIRST
three months after weaving. Taken from
the mare, fat, round and handsome, they
are turned where they have bit little feed,
less water, and no grain, and left to run
until almost starved to death--then kept
the rest of the winter on straw, without shell
ter. In the spring they are lousy, and but
just alive, and ever so good care aiterward
cannot make such colts what they would
otherwise have been.
Colts should have grain every winter
until four years old would commence
breaking the winter before three years old
See that the colt Is in good, healthy,
thriving condition. Never break poor,
weak colt, unless you want to break his
constitution. Get new rope, Sof an
inch in diameter, Of which make slip
halter; a larger rope would be burdensome
one much smaller would be apt to in
dent the gristly part Of the nose, and thus
injure the shape Of the face When hal
tered, the colt should not be tied fast, as
they will be liable TO pull and strain the
cords Of the neck /; hut hold the rope with
sufficient strength to keepthem checkingup
occasionally, to relieve the muscles ofthc
head, and neck.
When sufficiently subdued to be man
aged by one hand, which will generally
take but few moments, the person hold
ing the rope should walk to and fro before
him, giving at each side slight jerk upon
the rope, which, il a little time, will learn
the animal TO follow the string before it is
pulled. This should be done daily, until
he can be led, or neutrality-suspicious.. Next
apply the bit. Never use a curb, but take
bride with common snapple bit, with
gag reins to hold up the head, and martin
gales to hold III the nose-ibe reins attach
ed to a crupper and fasteus firmly on the
back with circngle The rcins should
not be drawn too tight at first, but may be
buckIed up occasionally until drawn close,
and kept in this condition the greater part
of the day, for at least one week, taking off
the bit at night. While biting, handle,
curry, and drive around.
Next put on harness. Secure, if posi-
bic, harness with gag reins, crupper,mar-
tlngales, &C.. and buckle all up close Af
ter little, attach to some light vehicle,and
drive on walk-learn colt to walk first,
quicker pace can be acquired aitsrward.
a colt should never be put to load re-
quiring his utmost strength to move, until
four years old. Colts may be driven in
harness with a light load, without injury,
much younger than they can be used un-
der the saddle. They should be trained
in the stable to understand and obey all
that is said to them. Learn a colt to 20,
and back, and hold back, by the word of
mouth. Never whip, except in the stable
Ifa young horse is inclined to stop. or
bak, as it is called, (when they manifest
this dispositlonl stop them, and never let
them know that they stop at their own ac
cord
Never hurry a fckle horse, young or old.
Slack up or lay down your reins,and wait
patiently fifteen minutes; then start quietly,
and so manage until entirely cured, which
will seldom fail.
Colts, after driving, should be cleaned
and rubbed 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 one hand-good bride, martingales,
girth drawn tight-get on, and stick
If we'll trained to the bit and harness, there
will be no difficulty in breaking to ride.
Michigan Farmer.