, 1875-02-13
Treating Animals with Gentleness.

Dumb bruteS have everything TO learn.
! They are nearly as capable of appre-
ciaUing kind words and gentle treatment
rs many of the human species. Many
persons are disposed to think that if a
young horse or OK does not obey the
commands Of his driver he is obstinate
or perverSe and must be lashed. But the
truth is, animals do not understand what
is wanted of them. All domestic ami
mails should be made familiar with, and
encouraged to form sort of affection
for and confidence in, their owners and
managers. This can easily be brought
| about, especially if commenced when
they are Young and persevered in by ca
ressing and talking 10 them in a mild,
| pleasant voice, and showing mild, fa-
miliar and pleasing expression of the
countenanCe, and especially of the eve.
Few seem 10 understand or realize the
great effect the expression of the eve
and the tone of the voice have on dOmes-
/ tic animals. Take the horse for in
stance. Few teamSters seem TO consider
that his eye and ear are constantly on
the watch to discover and understand
what his master is going TO do, or
wishes him to do, and that no small
share of this understanding is con
veyed to him by and through the express
sion of the eye and countenance and
tone OF the voice. This is more especial
ly true in regard to the colt, or young
animal, which has learned but little in
regard to the meaning of words, and
can and will be influenced much more
by the eye and voice than the nature or
meaning OF the words used Hence it
is important to make the colt tame and
familiar with its owner, TO induce it to
form liking for and confidence in him.
By exercising kind, patient but perse-
vering firmness in all our relations with
a colt he is always made 10 know and
expect that he is to do whatever is re-
quired of him. This is the more readily
and easily done for the reason that
whatever bad temper or disposition he
may have, never being aroused, will have
but little if any chance to show itself,
and consequently give no trouble in sub
DUNG or breaking him OF it. But by
learning TO have confidence in and de
pendence on his master. he is soon and
easily brought to condition in which
he needs no breaking, but only needs to
learn TO do whatever is wanted of him.
This can be done the more readily for
the reason that he Is used to being ca
ressed and talked 10, and to under.
stand and obey all the words that will
be ordinarily used IN driving and work
ing him.
The great difficulty in training colts is
the unaCcountable stupidity Of the driv-
ers. When colt is harneSsed he is told
TO go on" but he understands that
language no more than a Tartar would
understand an Englishman if he were to
direct the Tartar to go 10 the field TO
work We employed a man last season
to do some plowing. He had a valuable
pair OF mules. He was frequently heard
TO say TO his team, "Whea, haw, gee,
peddy.' What sort of obedience could
mule, horse or any other team render TO
a driver giving such directions; Whoa"
should never be employed except when
II Is desirable 10 have the team stop and
stand still If certain language is en-
ployed to signify certain movements q
team Will soon learn what is required of
Them; but when teamster is incessant-
ly bawLlg " Whoa," " Haw!' "Gee'
" Peddym or Whoa geer' " Gee-whoal"
or whoa back" "Geem "GOlong" q
team will be confused, fear will be ex-
cited, so that OK, horse nor mule will know
what TO DO more than run, if possible, /
from such stupid driver. Many team
sters seem 10 think it an important part |
OF driving to keep up a constant bawling
at the team Animals are not deaf 4 /
horse, OK or mule viii obey much more (
readily If he is commanded in q low tone I
ot voice. We have known te8meterS so I
addicted to the habit Of halloeing and |
bawfng az their teams that We have fire. |
quently heard them, when full mile dis 1
:snt, all the day long. bawl. bawl, bawl /
at the team. II is inexcusable for any
teamster to allow himself TO become ad- !
dicted 20 such an obnoxious habit. |
Speak IN low and pleasant tone of voice /
not only 10 teams, but to mich COWS. !
calves, sheep and all other animals. /
Ihlnk Tor a moment respected reader, ,
how you would feel or act were YOU /
among the HindOos without being able /
TO understand one word addressed 10 YOU. /
While they were talking boisterously to
you, swinging their fists about your head ]