The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-08-08
TRAINING TIE HORSE.

: TRAINING THE HORSE.
!, There is SO often such recklessnes
in the breaking of colts that it is won
/ der thao the standard Of equine ex
cellence is as high as it is. Probabl,
Z the aggregate value Of horses in this
country is lessened to the extent O
millions of dollars because of imDro
per or rather Imperfect breaking. L
! does not certainly require much pow
Ell Of conception to see that a horse
which has become vicious. or is par
TALLY untitled for service by reason OF
/ its having had improper handling If
/ the beginning, is not worth as mucL
as one that has been properly trained
It the value is decreased from such
causes, ten, twenty, OF hundred dol
lars, it is paying pretty heavily fol
carlessness or ignorance. In the
handling Of the horse at any age the
necessity of kindness cannot be too
emphatically urged. 1t cannot be ex-
pected that the animal can learn any
thing until he understands what it is
desired that he should learn, and nc
animal can understand as clearly when
its nervous system is wrought up to a
high pitch, which is the natural result
OF harshness, as it can when it is
calm. Y ct men will often scOld and
whip horse until the beast is worked
up into condition that is little short
OF madness. The horse is good natured,
willing animal, easily trained and anx-
lous to please its master, and it is not
only cruel but it is fo0lhardy to treat
1t III such manner as to cause it t.
fall short of the perfection which ma
tu1e has abundantly fitted it to reach.
Upon this subject we find some very
sensible remarks by Gen. J. L. Geddes,
and We copy them. Gen Geddes says
Gentle handling should be commenc-
ed almost as soon as the foal is bonn,
for the reason that at that period he is
most susceptible Of impressions, favor
able OF otherwise, and it is a fact wor-
thy Of notice and remembrance that if
colt is struck u blow at this early
Istage Of his life, YOU may invariably in
[sure kicker, OF al animal it would
never be safe to approach without due
precautiOn. EARLY impressions are as
lasting in animals us in children, and
the usefulness Of the future horse de-
ponds as much upon early and judi
cious training,as the success Of the man
depends upon the educational bent of
his youth.
The foal should see MAN, and become
accustomed to his presence FROM his
birth. A lasting control over the ami
[ NAL may be gained in the following
way:
AS soon as the foal is dropped, OF a
minute or two after, assist him in his
efforts to rise by placing the arms
around his breast and hips. He will
resist the handling, but it must be con
tinued until the foal is steady and
square on his legs. He must not be al
lowed to get away from you, Oh the
lesson is lost, but as soon rs he is pei
fectly quiet, release the hold on him
very gradually, retire from him "a few
PAGES, and his first and most etfectual
lesson OF human mastery is received.
When the colt is four weeks old. he
should be broken to the haltey. They
should be made Of Light material and
llUtcA lIOpCIlg W LIE, IGIu 50 lUdt Ill
can be enlarged from time to- time as
the animal increases in size. This act
|should be done with great gentleness;
Amy roughness Oh the part OF the man
will never be forgotten by the colt.
This is the second step in the ami
mails education; the second impression
be receives Of the fact that man is his
master; and, if the operation is pei
formed without violence be also learns
| that his master is not his enemy, but
his friend. | have found it good
| plan to leave the halter ON the head of
the colt II day OF two at Il time, until
he becomes accustomed to wearing it.
The leading rein can be tlnclasped from
the halter when the Latter is left on
the animal. Leading with the halter
is the only act in the way Of breaking
the colt that should be done until the
animal reaches his first year, at which
time instruction in his PAGES should be
the business of his educator.