The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-28
RenrinR and Training Colts.

During the first summer, coltS Snoulu
be allowed to run with their dams until
September or October, when they should
be taken from them and weaned. The
colt should be kept in stable or barn
for the first few days after it is taken
from the mare, as it will not fret and
run as much in close stable, as it
would in an open lot or pasture. After
while, it may be put in a yard or pas
ture-away from its dam-and should
be fed at first the sweetest hay that can
be had. Bran, oats, and corn, mixed in
due proportion with the hay, and given
in proper quantities, make the best food
that can be had. Corn and oats are
made better by being crushed in mill.
By feeding young colts considerable
amount OF grain, in conjunction with
hay and other light articles Of food,
they thrive better and their limbs be-
come better knit than when fed only on
light food. 1t may indeed, be assumed
as an axiom, that there is no greater er-
ror in rearing any kind of animals, ther
the too common one of stinting them
during the early period of their growth.
1t is at this time that they require the
most nourishment, and if proper sup
ply of food be withheld while an animal
is yoang it will he injured in its con-
stitution, and consequently in its value
to a far greater extent than any saving
that can be affected in its feed.
1t is a wrong practice to keep colts in
a warm stable all winter, after they are
weaned, as such stables are not usually
very well ventilated, and colts that have
been kept in them all winter come ont
ofthem in the spring impaired in health,
and too tender to bear the cold and
storms to which they are afterward ex-
posed. Colts that are intended for the
farm must soon be exposed to ev-
ery vicissitude of weather, and they
cannot be too early Injured to certain
deqree of hardship. They should be care
fully kept from lying out in the cold
and wet at night, but during the day
they cannot be too much abroad. Dry
novels and open straw sheds are to be
preferred to warm stables, for their
nightly shelter. Pure air is one of the
most bountiful and benevolent gifts of
the Creator, and though it may be cold,
| is much better than the warm air of a
close stable. Too much exposure should
be, of course, Us carefully guarded
against as too much of the opposite kind
of treatment; as both are alike destruc-
tive to the health and value of the colt.
Colts that have thus been used to
pure air and the inclemencies of mod
crate winter, will have acquired sutfi-
cient strength and hardihood to enable
them to Withstand the severest weather
of the following seasons with impunity.
Exercise for young colts is not only con-
ducive to their general health and
growth, but strengthens the sinews OF
their limbs and gives tirmness to their
feet. The next, or second summer, they
should have the range of large and
good pasture, or they should be turned
out in the open commons and looked
after, and brought home at least once or
twice week. They should be salted
occasionally, as it will be good for their
health and Induce them to come up Of
| ten. .E
The process of training young horses
| for the saddle is frequently one OF con-
siderable difficulty; for those intended
for the harness, it is much more simple {;
but in all cases the best means are pa
ticnce and gentleness. The horse is o.
pable of strong attachments, and of
equally strong resentments, and knows
more than people usually suppose he
does. Indeed, "horse sense" has become
proverbial for being of superior, sub
stantial quality. He knews when he is
treated with kindness or with severity !;
and the good or bad treatment that he
receives when young goes great ways
| in producing like disposition. He
should be fondled and handled while
young and from the time of his being
weaned he should be accustomed to the
halter aud should be occasionally tied
up. This should be done by the same
person who feeds him, and should not
be entrusted to lads. who will probably
tease the animal and teach it bad tricks;
nor to any hasty or illtempered man, A.,
who will be likely to ill.treat it.
1t will thus early become accustomed
to being handled, and will consequent
ly occasion much less trouble than if it
had been neglected. After it becomes
somewhat accustomed to the halter, a
bride should be put on-with asJnall
| bit at first-and he should then be led
about and taught to sbey the rein and
voice, in tnrning and stopping, which
he will very soon do. Harness should
then be put gently on him, so as not to
1 friphten him. After he has become &C
customed to all these operations, he
should be hitched to n wagon by the
side of q stout, steady animal and driv-
i an. by one who is not afraid, and under
i stands his business. Neither whip nor
force him TO go, but leave him quietly
lto walk with the other horse, and be
will soon feel at ease and begin to pull.
I fall these operations are conducted
] with nat suce and gentleness, the young