Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-03-22
farn1et's department,
From the American Agriculturist
BAIKY HORSES.


BALKY HORSES.
The prime requisite for the successful
management of balky horse, is perfect
lsezf possession and patience, on the part of
the driver 1t is quite common to see men
fly into passion upon the first restive symp-
toms of the horse, and to deal out fierce
punishment until compelled to desist, from
sheer exhaustion, after which, when the
driver has become calm, and the horse re-
covered from his fright, start is effected
and the trouble is over. Young horses,
before they are completely broken, may stop
when in the harness, from feeling of in
ability to draw their load, from fatigue,
from misunderstanding the will of the dri-
yer, or from an excitable disposition, lead
ing them to act upon the impulse Of the
moment In all these cases there is neces-
sity for care and GOODNESS in the driver.
From the first, and for long time, the
load of young horse should be such as he
can draw with the greatest ease, thus giving
him confidence in his own powers. A
young horse once sset' will thereafter pull
with unoertainty-hence with only half a
will; he is then discouraged easily, and
balks at triAiug obstacles, or if he be Of
spirited disposition, he will spring to it
with might and main, whenever he feels ex-
ira weight behind him, and if not allowed
to work in this way will stop at once. 1t
has been noticed that the worst balks usu-
ally occur at or near the foot of hills, and
this may explain how the horse learns the
habit. The driver should anticipate the
wish of the horse to rest, by allowing even
more frequent intervals than are required.
This practice induces the habit of obedience,
the horse willingly stops when the word is
given, and thus is accustomed to heed the
drivers command, which is the first and
great requisite in his education. These
commands should be given in way that
can readily be understood. A well trained
animal shows remarkable intelligence in
perceiving his masters wishes, but it is by
long familiarity with his ways that this abili-
ty is acquired.
Balky horses are usually 'high strung,
possessing the gery disposition, which, if
properly treated, will give the best style
and action. 1t is stated on good authority,
that such horses may be so wrought upon
by single harsh exclamation, as to raise
the pulse ten beats minute. What won
der if such an animal should prove refracto-
ry upon suddenly feeling the lash of an in
furiated driver. For this class of horses a
whip need seldom if ever be used. when
breaking them. They yield readily to kind
ness, aud are as quick to obey when pro-
psrly treated, as they are troublesome when
fooled with--we use this term for want of
more expressive one. These remarks ap-
| ply more particularly to the prevention of
baking, by proper management, of colts.
When the habit of balkingis fixed, impa-
tience of the driver only increases the diff
fculty. The treatment then requires the
highest common sense-the first thing men
lose when they fly into a passion. The
following directions, given by Mr.. Rarey,
are probably as sound and complete on this
subject as anything ever published:
almost any team when first baked, will
start kindly, if you let them stand five or
ten minutes, as though there was nothing
wrong, and then speak to them with steady
voice, and turn them little to the right or
left, so as to get them both in motion be-
fore they feel the pinch of the load But
if you want to start team that you are not
driving yourself, that has been banked,
fooled, and whipped for some time, go to
them and hang the lines on their names, or
fasten them to the wagon, so that they will
be perfectly loose; make the driver and
spectators (if there are any) stand off some
distance to one side, so as not to attract the
attention of the horses; unloose their
chcck-reins, so that they can get their heads
down if they choose let them stand few
minutes in this condition until you can see
that they are little composed. While
they are standing, you should be about their
heads, gentling them it will make them a
little more kind, and the spectators will
think you are doing something that they do
not understand, and will not learn the Sc
cret. When you have them ready to start,
stand before them, and, as you seldom have
but one baulky horse in a team, get as near
in front of him as you can, if he is too fast
for the other horse, let his nose come against
your breast; this will keep him steady, for
he will 90 slow rather than run on you.
Turn them gently to the right, without
letting them pull on the traces, as far as the
tongue will let them go; stop them with a
kind word, gentle them little, and then
turn them back to the left, by the same
process. You will then have them under
your control by this time: and as you turn
them again to the right, steady them in the
collar, and you can take them where you
please
SIMPLE CURE FOR CRoUP.-We find in
the Journal Of Health, the following sim
pie remedy for this dangerous disease.
Those who have passed nights of agony at
the bedside of loved children, will treasure
it up as valuable piece of information:
IF child is taken with the Group apply
cold water-ice water, if possible sudden.
ly and freely to the neck and chest with a
sponge. The breathing will instantly be
relieved. Soon as possible let the sufferer
drink as much as it can, then wipe it dry,
cover it up warm, and soon quiet slumbeI