Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-27
Agricultural.
Raising Colts.

| usually wean my colts at from four to five
months old according u the time of year. IT
not worked the mare should be put on short
grass or iced and MIXED occas lonaIly for two
three days The colt should nave little
oats (partiaIly grounG) every day, and be en-
tIrely cut OF sight hearing of its mother
Many are, | think, Cd elees of their colts at
Ur about the time they weaned. AS far as
my experience goes consider this the most I'M
poIt4ut time LII the colt s lite, far az his fu-
tuTe health, size and disposition concerned.
Ii ne Is then neglected TO feed and care, he
will probably show It during the remainder OF
MS lie. Ii ne Is not already so, nc should be
immediately halter broken, and handled every
day II possible, but upon no account abused.
lie ehOuic be taught To mind, but rather throug h
dGtctton than through fear If the latter Is the
ceuse you never know wnen or how long be will
obey you ; but II from the former you may ex-
pecI his obedience last as long as the Cause
which Produces H.
str .ngly opposed, both in principle and
pra> tIce TO - breaking COTS that is, allowing
them 10 attain the age OF two or more years be-
fore they are taken Ia hand tor learning the prn-
cIpies winch ~ form important part
their future lie. There should no - break
ing" about It. The education should begin d
soon the colt Is born and II properly attended
TO Will be perfect by the time he Is large enough
to drive.
Being led tied with halter should be his
hTst lesson, and the sooner he learns it the
shorter The struggle and the more permanent
the lesson never give him a chance to break
loose, Ior done, and he Will remember II
tor d long time and IT the lesson be too often
repeated, he will make proficient IN this not
desirable art.
Tue outline of my plan may be thus given :;
As soon the COLT we ned he should have
good iced and be handled every day, If posi-
ole he should be codred rather than made by
force to DO anything. Never use switch or
rbe end OF a hslter strap Be firm, but not
ossrbedripg It will be found better to overlook
the iaaIt than TO attempt and fail To correct 1t
never lose your temper for tue moment you do
so you at the same time lose the advantage
which you should aiwuys have over him.
During the winter the colt should stand hal
tered the greater portion VI the time, either ID
his stable or out 10 the open aIr-the latter tor
least portion Of every day use the curry
comb and brush freely. Remember you are
forming the future horse, aDd Care now taken
either IN his appearance or character Is by no
means lost. BY the time he Is year old he
should allow you to place light articles on his
back without any resistance. and should be
taught not to be afraid of straps hanging loose
either ABOUT the body or heeIs. This education
should be repeated during the second winter
and by the time he IL TWO years old he Will per-
nit himself 10 be hammered Up alongside of
quiet horse Chs mother if possibly and driven
ABOUT.
During the operation of halter {" breaking,
great Care should be taken 10 always make him
walk tast--iast walking should be made a part
of hIs education. and he will never forget 1t
during his atIer life. / know Of DO colt which
may not be made good walker If oEerly
trained when young, but this fast time, AMI
walking too slow TO keep up With It.-Gsr-
"ssnt0,on Telegraph.