The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-26
How to Train Colts.

PtVuuSO uSA'SiIt1 III HIS HiONtluculS.
He is conditioned to perform more Ia
Dor with less injury III the same time.
Exercise, skilliul sweating and whole
some food are the agents to increase
the natural powers of the horse. Arti-
fetal cultivation is the process by which
speed, stoutness and endurance are
conferred. The art of training pro-
duces q change in the physical organs
and vital forces. 1t expands the air
tubes, clears the wind, hardens the
muscles, invigorates the body, increas-
es the circulation of the blood-the
vital fluid that contributes to the force
of action. To bring the horse to the
highest condition, to stand the utmost
exertions, constitutes the art of train
ing.
1t requires patience and kindness to
teach the colt to keep up the utmost
exertions, or stay the distance. Ii he
should be abused or overtasked he will
become discouraged, quit, or bolt the
track in selt-defense. Any bad habit
once acquired would injure his prospects
and diminish his future value. N
Young colts have speed, but ARE de-
ticient in staying qualities. There is no
objection to teaching them to show what
they have got, provided the distance is
limited down to their ability to perform
without distress. He must be kept in
spirit to do his work cheerfuly when
called upon. He may do it with all his
might, but must have something left in
him. 1t must not be all driven out OF
him. 1t you break his heart, there will
be nothing left worth preserving. The
young colt wants to be encouraged
to establish a good pace with perfect
true undertaking action to insure speed.
When he shows a clean, open, perfect,
stride, let well enough alone. II the
driver forces the colt over himself, he
will naturally contract the htbit OF
hitching and hobbEng, and will lose the
advantage as trotter. Shippers seldom
stay well if they are not ruled out.
When Flora Temple made her best time
she never made skip. Dutchman
made the best three miles on record
without leaving his feet.
Square trotting is worth more than
buck jumping, shutting, or any other
mixed gait known in the annals of the
turf. It takes longer to break up a
habit than it does to learn it. The value
Of the colt is determined by his superior
speed and beautiful action. The pace
is established or greatly improved in
the act Of breaking in. 1t is important
that the trainer should understand the
art of training the colt and fixing his
pace, for upon this depends his future
usefulness.
Biting, to soften the mouth and sup
pie the neck, is the first process to tame
the colt. The head should not be left
strained up long at one time without
being let down to rest at the FIST onset.
It makes more sensitive and pliable
mouth. If left strained up all day there
is danger Of making the subject hog
mouthed. After biting the wild colt at
successive intervals OF 30 minutes for
two or three days, his neck NAV be sup
piled band exercise till he yields Implicit
obedience to the bit, and will turn, go
back or forward, at the slightest indi-
cation of the hand.
The trainer is then master OF the sit
uation. He can then drive him in the
harness without load till he becomes
as do.ile as lamb. To save time, he
can hitch him up with well-broken
horse, who will help break him, and will
teach him by example to draw at load.
II the youngster is not overloaded or
disheartened by repeated proyocations
from iIl-tempered drivers, he will be true
as steel. Colts are not naturally viscious.
Their first impulse is to obey the COM
mands of their superiors. tits only
after desperate efforts to break away
from the wanton infiction of brutal
drivers, and avoid the abuse of good will
by untutored ignorance, that the horse
shuts up in self-deience and refuses tn
work. Vice is encouraged by the bad
passions of men. To remove the effect
we must remove tie cause. Kindness is
the weapon to conquer the most obstin-
ate of the brute creation. Animal in
stincts are controlled by the force OF
mind. We must appeal to the mobiles,
sentiments of the human heart to control
the noblest OF beasts, in room OF at
tempting to govern him by the basest
passions of the human heart