Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-08-09
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MISUNDERSTANDING

says the Maryland Farmer, IS training
breaking, as it is commonly called) his
colts. \ colt, when not spoiled, is the most
confidihg, sociable and inquiring animal on
the farm, and no other is so fond Of the So
cicty of mcn and boys as the colt is, when
kindly used he is naturally timid, Il little
fearful of things which he does not under
stand, but very quickly to know aud
trust, if lie is kindly and patiently handled.
There is 10 other animal, not even the dog,
which SO much delights to I've guided and
commanded by man, and to be talked to
and caressed by man as the horse.
The true Arabian horse is the most gen
tie, teaclable and reliable, as well as most
\ spirited and enduring of all horses, and the
Arabs, rs a people, are the best horse train
crs in the world; the whole ~flmily-chil-
drcn women and men--are trainers of and
companions with, their horses and colts
from infancy and they meyer have any
trouble or accidents or dangers in the dis
clpline or use Of tlleir horses the colts and
children and family are all together from
the youngest to the oldest; the colts and
horses learn to understand and have per-
icct confidence in the men and children, and
are never abused SO us to lose that conf
dencc consequently, there is never any
such thing known among Arabs us balky,
bucking or obstinate horses; they are edu-
Gated kindly, not whipped, or frightened or
ScOlded.
Then to begin with, the very first essen
tial III successfully handling and educating
the colt, and making a pleasant horse OF him
is, to gain lis entire confidence so that he is
not at all afraid you will hurt him he can
not do what you desire until he knows any
more than II boy put fresh into shop, or
school, can 90 on with his lessons or work
before he fairly understands what he is re-
quired to do. Educating colts is one OF the
incest, as well rs most pleasant duties, and
one of the easiest, if pursued with patience
and intelligence that can engage a farmer.
We have, in past years, trained and pre-
pared for use up to good h%orschood, many
colts in Our time, and we never made y
Jbalky, s%kittish, kicking or runaway horse
OF any of them, and never had one to break
any harness or seek to throw his rider with
the least captiousness and above all, we
never practiced the cruel habit of : biting"
colts, rs it is called, to subdue them.
When they were but Il few weeks old
the younger the better--We began handling
them gently, so that they were no more
afraid OF us than of horses in the field we
had the full confidence of the mare, so that
she would not warn nor caution the colt to
lc afraid ! but we never allowed them to be
plagued or tricked, to N,ake them cross and
.spunky, rs Is often done. We early put
small cords on their nccks and nose, and
gently led them about; then put haltcrs OH
them. and bits i'll their montlls.-patiently
anu tcnaerly winning them to it, not fore
Ing them; then later we would put part of
II harness on them first letting them smell
and touch it, SO they became assured it
would not harm them; giving them time to
examine it, to satisfy themselves there is no
danger-and colts are very curious, as curl
Gus us old Paul Pry, to examine everything
If they are not frightened; tlpir skin is very
aenderan sensitive, often tichlish there
lore, every strap or harness should be put
ON gently, without too much pressure. at
first, till they get used to 1t and find it will
not hafm allemss trlsen. by degrees, press
the collar u little harder and harder against
the shoulders. ill they slightly push or
brace up against it. and they yet the first
lesson in drawing then go behind them
and pull at the traces, teaching them to
move forward nj the same. tine. tE17TT
Above all, never get angry or impatient