The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-05-16
Breaking Colts.

Colts, SAYS the Nattonm Mce-ISt0ck J0urnol,
should be haltcr-broken when following the
mare; it helps TO slbduc them, and supersedes
the necessity of breaking them over again
when grown up. "Once broken always
broken" is an axiom as old rs the art of breed
ing 1t is advsablcto break them to harness
at two and onc-halfor three years old. They
will receive no injury from careful usage in
light vehicles. The most practicable mode
of subduing wild colts is to hitch them up
with a wcllbroken horse, and teach them by
example to perform service.
The first step is to bit the colt-to make
him bridle-wise. This is accomplished by
checking up the head with the biting bride.
They may be turned into the yard to run at
| large, taking care that their heads are not
left strained up more than one hour at a
| time. The head should be let down often to
| give the neck rest. 1t will prevent their con-
| tracing coarse, unpleasant hog mouth
After they become accustomed to the bit
| they should be driven in harness, without any
load, for several days till they yield implicit
obedience to the bit, and obey with alacrity
the word of command. They will become
comparatively broken by the simple process
of supplying the neck, and teaching them to
stop and go forward at the will of the driver
They will seldom offer any resistance when
hitched to the vehicle. Patience and perse,
verance will accomplish wonders in horse
flesh Intelligent instruction improves the
disposition and develops the speed and endur-
ance of colts-essential qualities in the road
ster. The more good qualities developed
when young, the greater will be the merits Of
the recipients. Those subjects that will dc
the most work in the least time are the most
profitable to the owner. 1t costs no more tC
keep or raise the fast worker than it does the
slow mongrcl. The former will perform
twice the service of the latter. The best are
the cheapest to wear OUT besides there is
| pleasure in using q superior animal.
Colts should be broken to harness before
| they get so strong as to control the driver
They are not perfectly developed for HARD
work before they are five years old. Gentle
usage at light work for one or two years will
bring them into submission. They will be
come accustomed to different kinds of service
and the force of habit will make them kline
and trustworthy. When broken under the
law of kindness they seldom contract vicious
habits-they are not naturally vicious they
are made so by ignorant or brutal drivers
Incompetent trainers make balky horses
They use too much brute force without rea
son or common sense. They appeal to the
| lowest passions, in place of intelligent in
slruction. Reason is better than force to gov
em the horse--kindncss is the weapon t,
subdue the wild colt. This humane law re
moves terror, and secures the confidence o
the colt in his driver; and so long as tina
confidence is not abused, they will yield i'm
plct obedience to the word of command
| When the wild colt is trained under the law
of force, he becomes terror-stricken with fear
and fights back TO relieve himself of oppres
sion; and, having the advantage of supcro
strength, often triumphs over his trainer, an,
contracts the vice Of rebellion. This vie
lives on to be inferred with his bones.