Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-10-18
Handling Horses.


inglY
We have very bad habit, and it is al.
most universal to care too little for our
animals. They cannot tell us their wants
nor their sufierings, yet we know by re-
Election that they endure severe pain, as
we do, end that It is hurtful as we'll as in
human to let them suffer. But "they are
stock" So we care not for the pain of
the fish that we take, nor the worm wrigg.
ling in taking them. If we are humane
to our fellows-truly so-our horses, our
cattle, and our sheep will also get the
benefit otherwise not given in the same
degree, and only from mercenary motives.
The man who feels for his horse or his
stock will he apt to take care of it; he
alone is fit to do so. Mr.. Bergh has the
right view, and we are glad to see he is
sustained. This is a reformation that
needs carrying out. 1t has a becoming as
well as a more noble reward attending
it.
The well-treated horse appreciates his
treatment; he thrives under it. He de-
lights to thrive and do his masters will;
only bring him up right; he is to be
taught; he is to be made what he is want
cd to be, and then encourage him. not by
overtasking, not by neglect, cold stables,
hard stables, wet, filthy stables, and un-
palatable, innutritious food and INSULT.
cient or bad water. All these things will
make him what we too much see-horse
stock not what is wanted, balky, lazy,
stubborn, dirty, ungainly. We make all
this. We might as well as not do better
and be much the better off. Secure good
blood, which can be done, and with little
Inconvenience. Then treat gently, decis-
lively; never contradict yourself to your
horse. This will stutify yourself in his
| sight, and he will not know what to do;
remember his memory is keen. Let him
know that you are his master, but good
one, a kind one, so he does what he is
hidden. This makes gentle, yet vigor-
Gus, and even mettlesome horse, obedient
always and trusty, your friend, an asso-
ciate, loving your society, looking and
asking for it. Such horses are worth their
weight in gold. They are what you want
of them, always clean, always lively,
healthy, and handsome and gentle; chill
dren suffered 10 play with them, and
| trusty everywhere. What a point is this
lastl What accidents happen but would
! be avoided with this last always secure.
This requires gentleness in the man,
and it requires intelligence-one alone
will not do it. You must select and then
| judiciously work with your horse, from
his birth up to his death. He must be
your machine, and yet as one of the
family, like the Arab steed. If by nature
vicious or faulty, you want another.
Better sacrifice him at once and get what
you want, for you have long line of ser.
vice in him, and you do not want, all
that time, to be trouo uoled with his vices OF
his faults. Too slow or too fast will be
n constant annoyance and if he mas
tricks, danger will be constantly attend
ing. Thus people plod and worry a
score of years with such an animal.
And this is the rule, when it might as well
be all avoided. A little more attention,
a little more care in selecting and train
ing. And training is simple only few
rules to be observed Treat your horse
at all times kindly let him know that
you are kindly disposed to him. But be
resolute with him when he shows stub
bornness, and let the horse be fully and
Enthusiastically impressed with the fact
that you are master, and always, but a
kind master, showing no excitement on
your part that you will tolerate no vices
but encourage all you can the good quail.
tiles ; he will soon see the difference.
This you must do, and you must have
patience to do it, You must do it with
the colt, beginning at his birth; when he
is horse he will need no more instruc
tion, but be always, with some care
what you want him, and then he will dc
you great service. 1t is in horse; only
do not abuse IL. You can, by overwork
ing and bad treatment, wear out horse
in twelve or fifteen years, so that he will
prematurely die, say at the age of seven
teen or eighteen. We have seen a spar
of as good geldings as ever Strengthened
trace give up the ghost at eighteen years
and there was no saving the wrecked
frames. Overwork and continued, anC
not overmuch care did it. We have
known horses at thirty to do good ser
vice, fat, and strong and healthy. They
were never overworked; had kind mas
ter; were much in the traces; did mucl
work, but were never strained.
II is this straining and continued ting
ging that takes hold upon the system
Avoid this, and horse Will do vas
amount of labor, and will, in his life
time, do almost double the amount o
labor-certainly more than a third more
and will do it with comparative comfort
We have much to learn here. Great ad
vantages are to be secured. A horse is |
valuable animal, and is worth great at
tention.
Special rules for training are general,
of little importance. THERE'S difference
in the disposition of horses as well as il
the handling of them, and there are vari
ous uses to which we put them. Al
these and other things must be con
sidered. Principles must be aimed at
however carried out. There must b.
gentleness, decision, and never contra
diction. What is begun must be gon,
through with at all risks. Let each on
apply his own wit how best he can d,
this, and there will be little difficulty. |
he is not qualified let him secure com
petent trainer. Twenty or twenty-five
years of service is worth it, especial.
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