American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-30
Treating Animals with GentIeness.

Dumb brutes have everything to learn.
They are nearly as capable of appre-
ciating kind words and gentle treatment
as many of the human species. Many
persons are disposed to think that if
young horse or OK does not obey the
commands of his driver he is obstinate
or perverse and must be dashed. 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 a sort of affection
for and confidence in, their owners and
managers. This can easily be brought
about, especially if CON menced when
they are young and persevered in by ca
ressing and talking to them in mild,
pleasant voice, and showing mild, ia
miliar and pleasing expression of the
countenance, and especially of the eye.
Few seem to understand or realize the
great effect the expression of the eye
and the tone of the voice have on domes-
tic animals. Take the horse for in
stance. Few Transfers 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 0Be 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 persc-
oil aIafi !,
a colt he is always made to 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 10 used to being Ca
ressed and talked to, 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 a colt is harnessed he is told
to Ego on" but he understands that
language no more than a Tartar would
understand AN Englishman if he were to
direct the Tartar to go to the field to
work. We employed a man last season
to do some blowing 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 a
mule, horse or any other team render to
driver giving such directions? whoa"
should never be employed except when
it is desirable to have the team stop and
stand still. If certain language is en-
ployed to signify certain movements
team will soon learn what is required of
them; but when teamster is incessant-
ly bawling Whoap' Hawr' "Geew
"Peddy" or whoa geeT "Gee-whoaw
or whoa backr' s'Geew "Golong!"
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 to think it an important part
of driving to keep up constant bawling
at the team. Animals are not deaf. \
horse, OK or mule will obey much more
readily if he is commanded in a low tone
of voice. We have known transfers SO
addicted to the habit of hallooing and
bawling at their teams that we have fire.
quently heard them, when a full mile dis
tant, all the day long, bawl, bawl, bawl
at the team. 1t is ineXcusablc for any
teamster to allow himself to become ad
dicted to such an obnoxious habit.
Speak in a low and pleasant tone of voice
not only to teams, but to mich cows,
calves, sheep and all other animals.
Think for Il moment, respected reader,
how you would feel or act were you
among the Hindoos without being able
to understand one word addressed to you,
while they were talking boisterously to
you, swinging their fists about your head
and occasionally giving you an unccre
moniOus slap because you failed to do as
they had directed you!-N. Y. Herald.