Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-08-24
Breaking Colts.

A writer in an exchange says his expert
ence and observation have demonstrated
the efficiency of the following treatment in
breaking colts :
The colt should be broken to the halter
while following the mare. But whether this
has been attended to or not, the breaking
should always be commenced n a spacious
stable with soft floor aud smooth sides. AT
ter gently handling his head, neck and
shoulders for time, proportioned to the
wildness and spritedness Of his nature,
soft but strong bride is presented to him,
and after he has smelltd of it sufficiently, it
is slipped gently over his head and the bit
inserted. In the same quiet manner bit
ting harness is placed securely upon him.
The bride should be furnished with gag
runners and side straps, but martingalls
should never be used. After very gradual.
ly drawing in his head till it is in right
line, or he begins to show signs of anger,
which point should never be passed, he
should be encouraged TO follow you about
the sta ble he looSening the rein little Ov.
cry time he comes to you. lie soon dis
covers that he is in the power of superior
and yields to his will lie should then be
taught to start and stop at the word, and
to obey the slightest influence of the rein.
This may be done by passing the finger
through the bride rein where it rests upon
the shoulder, and directing his course to ev-
cry part of the stable by the slightDst pres
sure in one direction or the other. He may
now be driven about the stable with lines.
During this time be should be caressed
and handled kindly aud fearlessIy all over.
He may now be entirely submissive, be dri-
ven ont doors, but should never be attach.
ed to carriage or load until 10y such Grm
and patient tuition he has learned TO sub,
nit fully and implicitly to the direction Of
his master. 1t iSa good plan if cOnvcuient,
to hitch him beside good steady horse
and drive them with light load. He
should have been so well trained in the sta.
bic, however, before this. as to know better
than to scare Mt any irae. This course of
conduct continued, will invariably procure
q true and obedont disposition and amiable
character, and an intelligent education for
the horse.
In those parts Of Ohio which have beer
settled by PenusylVanans, the manner o.
breaking colts is very different from this
a system, by the way, which has many gooI
points. They harness the entirely untameC
colt beside the near wheel horse in the team
OF four or six horses, and drive on without
regard to the frantic evolutiOns which he
will sometimes make. The strong chains
however, before and behind him, aud the
weight of the team aud the load prevent
his doing any mischief He discovers that
his struggles are in vain, aud ie" slaPS
from the tongue in a rough roai soon tcach
him to walk out contenIedly in his place
A common error among this class OF people
is the working their colts too young, IL is
not uncommon to see colts only two years
old worked day after day in the team. The
horse should be trained while young, but
should never be worked till his form is do
yeloped and his muscles strengthened by
mature age He should always be treated
with kindness and consideration. He should
be regarded as an intelligent and docile an
imal, with great powers and capacities TO
being highly servicable to man. He shoulC
be educated aud instructed, not forced int
suNection. His proud spirit should b
cur6ed and directed, but not subdued. Hi
master sAnnld be man, not tyrant, an'
should treat him not as slave, but as
williRg and obedient servant