Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-11-10


Every farmer should be as warm an
advocate and steadiast practicer OF hui
manity toward arimals as Mr.. Bergh
could desire Take it, indeed. entirely
on the basis of profit and loss. and gem
tleness and thorough kindness are bet
ter than any harshness. The farmer
has so mrch to do with animals that pa
tience is sn indispensable virtue All
animals are easily confused and terri
fed by irritability and i'll usage. Colts
are extremely sensitive to any change
in the feeling of the driver A nervous
colt will be rendered almost unmanage-
able by a fretful manner displayed to it;
and not on that occasion alone, but ev-
cry time the person approaches it. it is
all nervousness and confusion. A colt
OF such nature never forgets and sell
dom forgives. A pet one of mine was
three years in partially forgiying man
who threw her when about three
months old. He could not catch her in
the lot, and she would keep as far away
as possible when he fed her. His en-
trance to the stable was a signal for q
half nervous. half spiteful display Of
temper. She was not vicious, but II
would have required but little to make
her SO. Half the staky. balky. wicked
horses are made so by some mismanage-
ment of the breaker Farmers desire.
or should desire, gentle. tractable
horses. such that the ladies will not be
afraid to drive. or on occasion to catch
and harness.
The colt should be handled and hal
ter-broken as soon as possible after
foaling. II this is done in the presence
OF the mother. a little care should be
taken not to irritate her, or a seat on
the fence may be both convenient and
desirable. Ii is general belief that
the colt is sightlcss until ten days old;
If so, it does not interfere at all in
handling or petting ii. The best time
to halter-break is at about three weeks
of age. For breaking to the harness,
of course each one has his own peculiar
notion, and each way its own peculiar
advantages. But really the proper way
to break is first to the saddle aud then
to the sulky. But when it seems a lit
tie excited and stupid. or as some per-
sist in declaring. ugly, little coaxins
and petting win do more good than any
amount OF whipping.
A measure OF oats is very good aid
TO voice and caress. to impress upon
the animal that whatsoever is done
well is commendable and worthy Of
continuing to do Nothing is so dif-
ficult but that such an incentive. under
q patient. with gentle guidance. il
will attempt. When the colt is
s.-t. .if Il
no amount of impatient reitera-
ton or harsh measures can make
it understand any command; but
it will become more and more excited
and less able to do or understand any
thing. To make the colt step over the
shafts Is an act re luiring much patience
and forbcarance, and is generally at
tended by. on the part Of the colt. a
nervous fear and dread. which brings
him on the opposite side, and by pro-
family. anger and brutality on the part
of the man. which only renders the colt
Ready to shy and balk at everything. and
finally. perhaps with a spliced shaft.
started on the projected ride; when with
GOODNESS and calmness he might be
coaxed into the shafts and soon made to
un derstand. and willing to do what was
expected of him. A whip 7hould be a
thing only used IN occasion, and then
never more than one or two strokes.
The common hired man should never
be trusted with II. To have the colt do
well from desire of commendation and
reward is as well as for children. Pet
and love the colt and have patience with
II. and it will repay all the care ex-
pended, In thousand ways. Patience,
patience, patience. should be written
over every barn door in the land
Mirror and Farmer.