Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-12-21
Hints on Breaking Horses.

l. There is nothing more impor-
tant about horse than that he should
| be well trained. His usefulness and
ability, and the comfort, and even
the safety of the person using him
depend on judicious management for
a year or so of the animals life.
Ii. Persuasion is betterthan force
almost anything may be done with a
horse by steady kindness. BY nature
1t is timid; but when it once gains
confidence in its master, it becomes
almost rational being, and may be
treated as such. On the contrary,
severity, harshness, passion, and
blows, rarely fail to spoil a young
horses temper, and render him either
faulty or vicious. Better spend an
hour in Persuading him to do thing,
than two minutes in whipping him to
it. lie never forgets the first; while
the second never ceases to be an OBJ
Ject OF terror to him. A horse wants
to understand what he is to do; and,
when his judgement is once convin-
ced that all is right, the difficulty is
over. A horse is very apt to have the
same temper that it's trainer or mas
ter has.
Ill. A young horse, like child, is
a creature of imitation. 1t is much
easier to teach it by the side of an
old horse than by itself. 1t fully APP
preciates rewards; and the best horse
breakers give young animal hand
ful OF oats, or a piece of bread when
it does well; clapping. and playing
with it. In certainly understands it,
and in view of the reward takes pains.
SO, many give few oats on return
ng it, after exercise, to the stable. {
~. 1t is believed by many, that a q
Toung colt can be trained and be-
,ome attached to its master, if he
will cover its eyes with his hands, and Il
breathe for afewnlcments in its nose. :. =
Doing this frequently, for few days,
certainly seems to produce an effect;
md we have known ocolt follow us \
bout like a dog, after doing it, and :
mother put up its nose to our face
whenever we visited the stable. It's nj
lot intallible, bat is worth trying, and on
in, for a few DAYS or =
'eeks. Wonderful stories of the eff
ect of this familiarity are told in the 5
ooks; and it is SO simple that every >
ne can make the experiment.
V. The breaking should begin af- a IA
er the second winter, on the princi- "
lie that young animal is more ca 10
NY trained than an old one. At first, ne
IT it be bitted with bit smaller
nan usual, and carefully selected so
$ not to hurt its mouth; with this. !,
he lines being losely fastened to L
oller round the body, it may be suf- W,
'red to amuse itself, for a few sue lar
essive days, an hour or 50 at time: i h''
nd occasionally led about with a thi
alter. We
vi. The halterJ,eahiag being per- get ae,
ct, and the animal following easily. ma
nd become tractable, "a portion of the j.,
arness may be put upon him, and tic
st of all the Ninders, Gf used); and 8,
few days after. he may go into the 81
am with a steady old horse. Let
e wagon be light and empty. Let
'th'ng be done except to speak kin r.
y to him. The other horse will 10
'ep him moving, md he will soon ge
arm to pull. If he is in any way cas-
lghtened, sooth him; play with him, n u
nd show him that nothing will hurt IL
m When, this is accomplished,
'adually increase the load.
VII. The most difficult thing to
ach is backing; and this, perhaps, is
est taught by causing him to back
u Of the wagon; then with a light
agon, end afterwards with heavy
le; taking care that he is perfect in ee1
sch step, before progressing; and an
at ms mouth is not hurt 1t may be
'eiul, at first, to have second per-
n to press him steadily back by
e nose, till he begins to understand
hat is wanted. Patience and kind
IS are peculiarly necessary here as
ahorse's instincts are opposed to
Is movement.
VIII. Use the voice more than the
zip, or rather never use the whip
cept in cases righteousness and bad pr
mper. Let the words used be dis on
let, always accompanied by an. ac- CO"
N OF the lines, and the horse will So