Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-12-05
AG RICULTUR AL,
Breaking Colts.

| There has been g. eat progress in this res
\ pect within few years, owing mainly to q
better understanding OF the nature of the
horse. 1t is now generally conceded that he
can appreciate kindness and consideration, and
| that harsh and brutal treatment renders him,
! las well as children.) retaliatery, and disobe-
dent when not under fear of the whip and
all colt-brenkers should ever bear this in mind.
The Opposite extreme Of laxness in discipline
should also be guarded against. A person, to
be capable Of managing either horse or a
child, must be firm and persevering, but not
harsh and revengful. He must first conquer
and control the animal part of his own nature,
before he is capable of properly breaking a
colt. Great patience and perseverance are re-
quired to quiet his natural fears, and satisfy
him that you intend him no harm. Al move
ments about him should be moderate and iu-
dicious. The hand should first be gradually
brought in contact with the nose, as should
every thing else new to him, because his nose is
bis instrument for testing whatever is harmless.
What wonder that when suddenly seized or
pouneed upon, he exerts himself to get away
How can he know that the halter is not a con-
trivance 10 take his life? What need is :here
of giving him such fright, causing, as it Of
ten does, a trembling in every limb Besides
the inhumanity Of such treatment, there is
great danger that he will injure himself, or
break away, and thus be encouraged in future
attempts 90 free himself from restraint.
Any thing that the horse can touch with his
nose without being harmed, he does not fea-
Therefore the hand, the halter, girih, blanket.
saddle, harness, umbrella, buffalo robe, or what
ever is brought in close proximity to him,
should first be introduced" to, and touched By
that sensitive organ. A knowledge Of these
important facts, as we learned by attending a
course of his lectures, is the main secret of
Rarey's success in horse-taming. Ills strap
method Of throwing horses ia useless only in
cases of aggravated ill-temper. and such cases
are usually the result of mismanngement.
Gases are few in which colts may not be
speedily and cffectually broken by following
the directions, plainly implied by the above
facts. Some cots, however, owing probably
10 some previous fright, will net readily allow
persons to ride them. We have it recommend
ed to make a man of straw, introduce it TO the
colt when battered, gradually place it upon bis
back, lasteH it securely, so that it cannot be
dismounted alterward turning him loose and
let him satisfy himself that it can not be got
of, and that it will not hurt him. Thus the
danger of any person being injured will be
averted, and the colt will be efItctually dis
courAged from making future attempts to
throw his rider. Those who would have their
colts long-lived and serviceable in old age,
should never werk them hard when young
A lien truly remarks that ga due regard to hu-
manity and sound Judgment in thus limiting
the burden in his carly years, would save mu h
disease and suffering to the animal, and pro-
and prolonged life. The loss from neglecting
this is enormous"