Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-01
AGRICULTURAL.
Why Horses Kick-Rarey's Method
of Gure


Kicking Is the worst vice which horses
are teaght. Few men will deny the first
part Of the assertion, but some will doubt
that the vice is the result Of education, for,
say they, does not the horse kick by naiu-
raj instinct, as a protection against enemies
Certainly he does, and if he is made to
think (tor horses do MRk), that every touch
upon his flank and hind quarters, and every
rattle he hears behind him, are from an en-
envy he will let drive in most natural man
ner. The character Of a horse is estab-
lished during the first four or five years of
his life. Ii through accident or design, a
colt be alarmed from behind few times.
particularly if he receive sudden blow he
will learn to expect danger from that quar-
ter and to ward il off with his heels al
the finer and more spirited his organiza-
ton, the more likely he will b. to acquire
the vice. For example, a young colt had
become quite troublesome by entering
neighboring fields over dila, ,idated fences
OF his owner After repeated annoyance,
and mnch vain expostulafion, one of the ag-
grieved parii', caught the colt while tres
passing, fastened a tin pan to his tail, and
turned him loose. Away went the fright
ened animal, plunging and kicking TO get
rid Of the fearful enemy banging at his
heels, and he nearly killed himself before
breaking il loose. From that day he was
confirmed kicker not a leaf could rustic
In his rear, but his heels would fly like
lightning, and he was harnessed and driven
only at the peril'of life. Another colt was
taught TO kick while confined in the stable,
his owner ignorantly trying to @break his
spirit This he did by belaboring with a
cow-hide, and yelling at the top of his
voice The horse was frightened into the
belief that man was an enemy, and he act
ed accordingly, kicking at every one who
did not terrify him into temporary submits
sion. This was as sensible as the advice
Of an English horse-breaker Of the olden
time " II your horse does not stand still
or hesitates, then alrate (yelD with terrible
voyce, and beat him yourself with good
stick upon his head between his ears, and
stick him in the squirting place, iii or iii
times together, with one legge after anoih-
er as fast as your legges might walk your
legges must go like two bouncing beetles Z"
In the training of the colt, 100 little at
tention Is paid to educating the whole ami
NAL. He should be gently and continually
handled, not only about the head and mouth,
but from end TO end First invite his
affection b. little presents of corn, or
few crumbs Of bread. Having gained his
confidence, smooth his neck, then gradually
extend your attentions along his back, and
down his flank, and so on day by day adj
yancing little at a time, until you may
safely handle every part. In time he will
learn TO bear smart slap upon tie launch
es without thought Of retaliation, and when
once he has learned this, he cannot be made
to kick by any fair usage. The man who
abuses horse deserves a kick.
But can a confirmed kicker be cured p
Rarey says yes, and If ore can exercise
Rarey's firmness, good sense and patience
we believe he can make the worst kicker
safe. We witnessed his treatment of
most dangerous mare, aud the effects of the
one lesson given seemed marvellous. He
first applied the strap TO the fore-leg, then
led her around upon three legs until the
creature found she could not kick. He next
threw her, and commenced handling her
flank and hind quarters, at which she kick
ed violently. But she soon found that moth
ing resulted from it nobody was hurt
frightened or angered, and in about fifteen
minutes her intrepid conqueror lay down
and placed her hind foot upon his head
When she was released, he mounted and
dsmounted repeatedly, until she allowed
him to sit quietly on her launches. Such
lessons repeated half dozen times or more,
as the case might need, he said, ,could tame
her hind quarters. Our advice is, first, don't
teach your horse to kick /; but if unfortu-
nately you have been cheated in trade, and
are the owner of DANCE. Gus beast, don't
try to cheat any one else; try the Rarey
method thoroughly, or employ an expert
enced hQrser in 10 do it, and so make the
best Of ha6 bargain.-D. Farmer.