The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-03-26
Treating Animals with GentIenesg.

Dueb brutes have everything to learn.
They are nearly as capable of appre-
eating kind words and gentle treatment
as many OF the human species. Many
persons are disposed to think that if q
young horse or OK does not obey the
commands of his driver he is obstir ate
or perverse and must be dashed. But
the truth is, animals do not understand
what is wanted of them. All domestic
animals should be made familiar with,
and encouraged to form sort of affec-
ton 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 caressing and talking to them in a
mild, pleasant voice, and showing a
mild, familiar 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 tone of the voice have
on domestic animals. Take the horse
for instance. Few transfers seem to
consider that his eye and ear are con-
stantly 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
conveyed to him by and through the
expression of the eye and countenance
and tone of the voice. This is more es-
peclally 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 ma
turs or meaning of the words used.
Hence 1t Is important to make the colt
tame and familiar with its owner, to in
duce 1t to form liking for and cent?
dence In him. By exercising a kind.
patient but persoveriDg firmness in all
our relations with a colt he is always
made to know and expect that he is to
do whatever is required of him. This
IL the moro 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 subduing or breaking
him of it. But by learning to have
confidence In and dependence 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 carsssed and
talked to, and TO understand and obey
all the words that will be ordinarily
used IN driving and working him.
The great difficulty in training colts
is the unaccOuntable stupidity of the
drivers. When a colt is harnessed he
Is told to ego on ;" but he understands
mat language no more than a Tartar
would understand an Englishman if he
we're to direct the Tartar to go to the
neld to work. We employed a man last
season to do some blowing. He had a
valuable pair of mules. He was fire.
quently heard to say TO his team
Whea. haw, gee, peddy." What sort
Oi obedience could mule, horse or any
other team render to a driver given
such directions "Whoa" s6ouI3
never be employed except when If is
desirable to have the team ston and
stand still. If certain language is en-
Pioyed to signify certain movements a
team Will soon learn what is reouired Of
them but when a teamster is inces-
sanity bawling "Whoa - "Haw %
zee J! "Peddy !" or Whoa-gee ~
Gee whoa or "Whoa back -
Zee = "GolOng Z" a team will be
confused, fear Will be excited, so that
OK, horse nor mule will know what to
90 more than run, if possible, from
Huch stupid driver. Many teamsters
seem to think it an important part
OF driving to keep up a constant bawl-
ing at the team. Animals are not deaf.
A horse, OK or mule will obey much
more readily if he is commanded in g
low tone of voice. We have known
teamsters so addicted to the habit OF
hallooing and bawling at their teams thai
we have frequently heard them, when s
full mile distant, all the day long, bawl
bawl, bawl at the team. 1t is inexcusa
BILE for any teamster to allow himself Il
become addicted to such On obnoxiou