The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-11-30
Teaching the Colt,

Every farmer should be as warm an
advocate and steadfast practicer OF hu-
manity toward animals as Mr.. Beroh
could desire. Take 1t, indeed entirely
on the basis of profit and loss, and GEN
tleness and thorough kindness are bet
ter than any harshness. The farmer
has so much to do with animals that pa
tlence is an 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 unmanaoe-
able by frcLful manner displayed to it;
anu not on that occasion alone. but ev-
cry time tho person approaches it, it is
all nervousness and confusion. A colt
OF such nature never iorgets and sell
dom forgives. A pet one Of mine was
three years i'll partially forgiving a man
who threw her when about three
months old. He could not catch her in
the lot. and she would keep as far away
rs possible when he fed her. His an
trance to the stable was u signal for a
half nervous, half spiteful display of
temper. She was not vicious, but it
would have required but little to make
her 80. Half the staky, balky, wicked
horses are made so by GONE mismanage~
ment Of the breaker. Farmers desire,
or should desire. gentle. tractable
horses, such that the ladies will not be
| afraid 10 drive, or on occasion to catch
and harness.
The colt should be handled and hal
ter-broken as soon rs possible after
foalng. If this is done in the presence
OF the mother. little care should be
taken not to irritate her, or q seat on
the fence may be both convenient and
desirable. 1t Is general belief that
the colt Is sightlcss until ten days old;
II so, it does not interfere Mt al in
handling on pettng it. The best time
TO halter-break is ut 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 tho saddle and theu
to the sulky. hut when it seems lit
tie excited and stupid, or rs some per-
sist in declaring ugly, little coaxing
and pctting will do more good than any
amount of whipping.
a measure of oats is q 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 diff
ficult but that such On incentive, under
patient, with gentle guidance, it
will attempt. When the colt is
confused, tried and over-excited,
no amount of impatient rcitcra-
| ton or harsh measures can make
it understand any commands; but
| 1t will become more and more excited
and less able to do or understand any
thing. To make the colt step over the
shafts Is IN act requiring much patience
and forbcarance, and is generally at
tended by, on the part of the colt,
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 ut everything, and
finally. perhaps with spliced Shaft,
started on the projected ride; when with
GOODNESS and calmness he might be
coaxed into the shafts and soon made to
understand, and willing to do what was
expected OF him. A whip should be
thing only used on occasion, and then
never more than one or two strokes.
The common hired man should never
be trusted with it. To have the colt do
we'll from desire of commentator and
reward is as we'll as for children. Pet
and love the colt and have patience with
1t, 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 AMI Farmer.