Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-05-27
HORSE TANNING.

'Twad be nae blessing thus. .-n
HORSE TANNING.
SIR: This subject does not appear to be
fully understood even by professional horse
men. The majority of horses which are de-
nominated vicious, are on the contrary ex-
tremely docile and possessed Of gentle natures,
but. as these admirable qualities are always
associated with boldness and courage, such
animals will not infrequently retaliate by
kicking or biting their abusers. They never
exhibit antagonism unless punished OF when
made to perform some painful exertion, tax
ing them beyond their powers. =,
The horse inherits a greater degree Of in-
telligence than any other useful animal of
the brute kind. His instincts, in many in.
stances, compare favorably with those of the
nobler animal, man. If, therefore, horse
is obdurate and incorrigible, it is because he
has not been understood; because his genius
is superior to the person to whom bis early
education and training have been confded.
Ignorant grooms, in breaking colts, use coer-
Give measures, where kindness and gentle
treatment are enly appropriate. -, The first
impressions OF young horse deprived of his
liberty and the unrestrained following Of HE
own inclinations. are almost certain to mark
indellibly bis future career, and make him
either obstinate and intractable or submissive
and aaectionate. Thus, if he has beenfright-
ened and his nervous system excited beyond
control, fogging or any harsh practice would
confirm what originally was but an impulse,
and make it permanent habit, ,.1r -
Horses, like men, are more susceptible to
fattery than chastisement Twill relate q
case in point which occurred last Spring by
which promising thoroughbred, three years
old, was entirely ruined in.disposition. The
animal in question was unusually intelligent,
possessed remarkably elastic limbs and tenn.
permanent, and was perpetually throwing up
his heels and gamboling when not restrained
by lack of space professional horse-train-
er had contracted the job of reducing him to
servitude. The first difficulty Of catching
the colt in an adjoining pasture vas only ac-
complished after half days .coaxing, and
the utter demolition of the patience of the
trainer. This individual, thoroughly e4as.
perated, initiated the mettlesome animal in.
to the virtues of black whip. His efforts
at resistance were terrific; he kicked and
plunged, and made fearful lunges at his exc
cutioner; he was 10 the most intense state of
excitement; : the neck veins became gorged
with blood, and his eyes were projected far
from their sockets. So ungovernable did
he become, and so much was his indigna-
ton aroused by this surprising treatment,
that after period of a week had elapsed,
the opening of the stable door where he
was confined was the signal for continua-
ton of the kicking and struggles which mark
ed the day of his introduction to society
At the present time this colt is the most fu-
rious and vicious quadruped I ever saw,
which is entirely attributable to the brutal
fogging he received when it was unmerited,
and before he could understandits object
Thus the superior intelligence which might
have been cultivatedinto pre-eminent virtues,
was turned into channel for the fostering
and development of his baser proclivities.
In breaking colt, we should first endeav-
or to make him conscious of what is required
Of him. lettering him with halter for. the
first time, placing the saddle upon his back,
fastening the girths, are all matters Of para
mount Importance, demanding the greatest
degree of patience, perseverance, and an in
tuitive knowledge of his idiosyncracies.
Before putting halter upon colt, he
must be rendered familiar with it by cares
sing him and permitting him to examine the
article with his nose. Then place portion
of it over his head, occasionally giving it a
slight pull, and in few minutes he will be
accustomed to these liberties, and then the
halter may be fastened on properly. To teach
him to lead is another difficulty. Stand a
little on one side, rub his nose and forehead,
take hold of the strap and pull gently, and
at the same time touch him very lightly with
the end of long whip across his hind legs.
This will make him start and advance few
steps. Repeat the operation several times,
and he will soon learn to follow you by sim.
ply pulling the halter. .o-
The process of saddling and bridling is
similar. The mouth of the colt should be
frequently handled, after which introduce q
plain snafHe between his teeth and hold it
there with one hand and caress him with the
other. After time he will allow the bride
to bo placed upon him. The saddle can now
be brought in and rubbed against his nose,
his neck, and his legs; next hang the stir
rup strap across his back, and gradually in
sinuate the saddle into its place. The girth
should not be fastened until he becomes
thoroughly acquaited with the saddle. The
first time the girth is buckled it should be
done so loosely as not to attract bis attention;