The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-15
Breaking Colts.
To the Editors Of the Columbia Herald:


AS soon as they are bitted or bride
wise, take them out into an open field
that is free of stumps and stones, strap
I'D the rear forefOOt, let them hop around
for few minutes until they are a little
tired; then put the harness on and check
up the head, but not to high at first, grad
ually tightening it. Now let them hop
around again with Tire harness on
short time, then let down the foot, speak
kindly to them and pat gently for
few minutes, Now faSten rope to the
eff or right ring of the bit, pass it over
the nose and through the near or left
ring of the bit; then let the colt walk
off gently to the full longth of the rope,
which should be fifteen feet long. Make
the colt trOt around you the full length
of the rope. The colt can trot with a
good open stride, and if he starts to run
or kick, give short, quick jerk of the
rope, AID as soon as the rope tIghtens
on the nose, they will stop, Let them
move aroaDd in this manner until lit
tie tired, then let them rest, and while
resting talk to them quietly, pat them
with the harness, handle their legs. etc
then let them trOt around again, CEang>
ing new and thsn from right to lett, and
from left to right. Handle in this way
tor week, sometimes turning them
loose in Il box stall with the harness on
for an hour or two after having worked
them as above described. Never work
colt until they become tired out and
Unborn or balky.
Feed them all the grain and hay they
will eat. The colt is now ready to put
in the shafts to drive. Always break to
single harness. First, if broke to double
harness, you have then to break over
again to single harness, but if broke to
single harness they work anywhere,
single or double.
A good and cheap breaking rig is
made with two hickory poles, three feet
longer than sulky shafts and a little
thicker; bolt them to the axle, (yOu need
but two wheels) let the poles project
three feet to the rear of the axle, have
two hoes bored in the ends thus pro-
jecting about eight inches apart; fit to
| these poles two bows, similar to OK
bows, and long enough to come within
ten inches OF the ground when the shafts
are in proper position for driving. These
need only be used when you have
colt that is disposed to rear up. When
ever the colt attempts to rear up, these
bows strike the ground and effectualIy
prevents him from doing so. Always
use a kicking rope or strap; put it on at
ter the colt is in harness; it is two ropes
fastened to the check bit; they run over
! the head same as Kimble Jackson;
check the run then through the ferret
| of the saddle and along the back to a
| point just back of the hips, where two
rings, eight inches apart, receive the
ropes, which are passed down to the
shafts, near the cross bar, where they
are made fast. When so arranged eve-
nv effort to kick throws up their head,
so that it is impossible for them to kick,
and if they lay down or fall, they can
not break the shafts, they being hicko~
~ poles. The colt must go ahead or
| backwards, and it is almost impossible
to upset, the shafts being little back of
the axle, so as to have no weight on the
colts back. Drive il this way a few
| the road so as to use them to company
and excitement. After being broken
well in this way, then turn them out for
six weeks; then take them up and begin
| training to light wagon, but never speed
| them till well broken, aud then but lit
| tie way at atime. STOCK MAN,