Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-07-21
Training Young Hor," stock.

A Vrjng horse can he educated to a
d"~ree proportionatr with his natural in
tciliwenc,.. and his tractahilitI. as a rule,
will be in the ratio Of his breeding. Ii
he is highly bred, of any breed. whether
Trotter, Pcrcheron, or Clydrsdalc, the
chances are that he will be more oii>rrpti-
bic to :rsinng than if of what i, under
stood 10 be scrub origin. THIS is owing
in part to that progress made by animals
under doresticaiiOn- progress in refine
mcnt Of form, and certain other tenden-
cies and requirements which all cduca-
ted breeders aim to fix. Men and chill
dren, be constantly coming in contact
with those of better tone and more re-
fined sentiments, imbibe these qualities
to degree and their natures are inn
proved. SO it is with colts reared by
men who are engaged in growing the
better classes of stock. they usually get
more intelligent handling than when in
other hands, hence become more thor
oughly domesticated.
When we consider how few horses
there are, Oeaving ont the old plow and
team horses. accustomed all their lives
to having the whiilletrecs striking
against their heels), that will permit the
cros5-bar or ANYTHING else 10 come
against their hind legs when in harness.
We may well wonder why the prominent
lessons from colthood up are not as they
should be to secure safety behind the
horses heels, under nearly every con-
ceivable circumstance. The disposition
10 kick is implanted in most animals that
have the round hoof, and in some whose
hoofs are cleft. Especially does the
horse look to his heels as his best and
most reputable mode of defence. To
kick, under circumstances where defence
is thought necessary, is allowable in the
horse; nor does he lose caste by this in
diligence. if the proyOcation is great.
But the horse that strikes with his fore
feet, or uses his tceth-and where they
DO ono of these things they are quite like
" TO do both-takes a low rank, and is Il
veritable hyena among horses. As
rule, the horse showing. from his colt
hood up. disposition to bite and strike,
will prove, under ordinary care and
handling. partially at least. beyond the
reach of kindly tutorship.
But the animal that, not having been
fortified against such sudden surprises
by previous training. shows adi,position
to protect himself from anything that
strikes him unexpectedly in the rear, is
merely carrying ont a warrantahle in
stinct. Against this tendency to sur
prise, We have it entirely in our power
TO fortify him. This can be done by
series of lessons, and they may begin
when he is young colt. Yet. they may
be deferred till he is of sufficient AGE 10
be handled in harness. Perhaps the best
way to familiarize the colt with the har-
ness is to place this upon him while he
is in his stall. In order to accustom him
20 work up to the collar. before hilching
him to the wagon, harness him in his
stall; hook his tugs to whitlletree; at
tach rope to this, running over pulley
or roller; append heavy weight TO the
free end CT the rope, and SO adjust the
fixtures that when the colt goes forward
to the manger, or feed box, he will
tighten the tugs and lift the weight. In
this exercise, the pressure against the
collar will become associated with his
hay and grain and it will be found
that the association is by no means an
unpleasant one. So adjust the whille-
tree-and let it be a very light one that
when the colt backs to the limit permit
ted by his halter. the whiilctree will
come in contact with his heels. Be care
| full that he is accustomed TO this, nj first.
in your presence. every precaution being
taken to avoid a sudden surprise, involv
ing a response from his heels.
1t is of the utmost Importance that he
become accustomed to permit some unu-
sual substance to dangle against his heels.
that he may. in the future, permit this
without kicking. This he certainly will
do if the hsson is given to him with dis
cretion. not alone in the manner stated.
but by q progressive plan, out of the sta
BILE. 1t will very rarely be necessary to
! show the colt, if he is of reasonably fair
temper. that the master is his superior,
physically. through the means of appli-
snces that he uses upon him. If his duties
are taught him through kindly lessons,
and not through putting them before him
in the light of a series of punishments,
by making him draw a load, when, per-
hapS. his breast or muscles are sore. even
making the lesson impressive by the use
of the lash, the colt of average intelli-
gence and dociity will take hold of his
work willingly.-Nationat LiUe Stock
Journal