The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-19
Ghe 6arnrer.
Handling Colts.

]
Whatever may be said as to the relative
profits as between the raising of cattle and
horses, the breeding of these latter animals
will always be carried on to greater or
lesser extent upon large and medium sized
farms Even the forty acre farm will like
to raise yearling youth, and those of ma
ture age seldom lose their liking for young
and growing colts. Every boy ten years
old and upward takes kindly to this young
stock, and as rule the colts take as kindly
to the boys, albeit they, both colts and
boys, are sometimes rough with each other
in their play. Nevertheless, boys under
stand colt talk and colts seem to have an
appreciative glimnering of what the BOYS
mean. There is a good deal in this "talk."
The more colts are talked to-and. for this
matter, the rule viii apply to all farm an
imals-the easier viii they in the end come
to understand what you want of them.
The first lesson a colt should be given
to learn is man is its master, and yet its
friend. This lesson must be given by the
man and while yet the animal is quite
young No boy should be allowed to put
his mere brute strength against that Of
colt, however young The animal is pretty
sure to come out ahead, and the lesson
here learned is never forgotten.
The education of the colt may well be
commenced while yet it is a sucking. If
the mare is to be driven to the wagon on
the road, the colt should be haltered and
taught to walk quietly tied by the side of
the dam. In haltering, always use hal
ter the animal can by no means break.
Let the first lesson be given when the colt
may be securely and successfully haltered,
and when it may not injure ITSELF In
nine cases out of ten, the colt finding it
cannot get away, will quietly give up and
be submissive. Occasionally an exceed
ingly high strung colt gives more trouble.
If so, have patience, never lose your tenn
per. Talk to it, soothe it, and wait until
the animal gets over its fright If 1t be an
hour. Once it begins to walk by your
side, with one hand grasping the halter,
the other employed in soothing it, the
trouble is over. Thereafter it will soon
get to like the exercise, and soon it may
be left to the care of an intelligent boy.
Above all, educate the colts to come about
you in the barn yard to be petted. Thus
they will grow up familiar, and, in nine
cases out of ten, if they have first been ac-
customed to lead quietly beside the mare,
when they finally come to be harnessed,
they will give but little trouble; very Of
ten they will 60 right along, seeming to like
the light work to which they may be put.
In breaking to harness in the saddle
never use violent measures. Accustom
them first to stand quietly under the sad
die or harness. They may then be learned
to bear a light weight, one that they can
not displace, and may be thus exercised,
never, however, out of the reach of the
handler. When finally mounted it must
be by thorough horseman, one who will
never lose his temper or use violence.
Soon the colt will come to enjoy the can
ter as much as the rider. Then with gen
tie but firm care, the young horse may be
made to easily act at the will and by the
direction of the rider
In working to harness, the colt should
be hitched alongside an old and steady an
imal In hitching to the vehicle, be sure
the young animal be not allowed to start
until all is ready. Use no haste in this
matter Be deliberate in all you do. 1t
is easier to keep the animal quiet while
being hitched to the wagon than many
think Talk to it while holding it firmly
by the head but, when the driver is all
ready, then at the word let 60 promptly.
A sensible driver will easily manage what
Farmer.