Huntsville gazette., 1882-07-01
Breaking Colts.


Let your colt know that you are
master-but be good master-and half
your work in breaking is done. But
before you are master of the colt, be
sure you are master over yourself; this
at all times, so that you do not lose your
temper. Your temper gone, you will
abuse your animal, and the poor thing
will not understand the reason why.
Losing ones temper in so important a
work is very hurtful. If you think it
will not n1atter-that it will be all for
gotten-then you are sadly mistaken
it will not be forgotten, but will con-
stantly act as a reminder of the un-
trusworthiness of the man. Begin
early with your colt, and never con-
tradict yourself to hin, and he will
think it is all right; that he has to do
what you require of him. What you do
in the way of teaching or breaking, do
it adually-mildly, of course-and
with confidence; this will inspire con-
fidence in return. Thus get him used
to the harness, saddle, ETC., by degrees,
first by part of the harness, and so ON.
By and by he will have reached the full
attainment, and he will hardly know
how, only that he is to abide by it; it
will be seen as a matter OF course. But
if vicious fit takes him while training,
you must hold him as with a wise, and
let him know that resistance is entirely
useless. Finch once and he will want
you to finch again, and he will en-
deayor, and harder than before, to have
it so; but if he have no excuse, the way
will soon be clear to you. Make your
colt know what you want of him as a
horse. He is an instrument, and you
are to fashion him as you want him.
If for farm work, not for a trOtter; If
for a trotter, not for racer. Ii you
want him for heavy farm work alone,
he must be treated somewhat differently
from what is necessary for a mere road
ster, and vice versa. For a saddle horse
or lady's horse, you want something
different still. If he is high tempered
you must treat him differently from a
horse with mild disposition, and SO on.
You must know your horse, and know
what you want him for; then make him
such; shape the instrument to your
purpose. Begin early, at birth is not
too early; hints and signs have an
effect and these 60 through life.
We have given general directions;
special rules cannot be given, as it
would require for almost every animal
special treatment, so various are the
manifestations of horses, particularly
the different breeds and almost innu-
merable varieties.
There is not much to do to train a
horse; we have mentioned most; but it
takes time and patience to do it. 1t
must be gradual, growing work. The
colt must grow in his training, as in his
years; it will be nature with him then,
and lie will want to do that only; in fact
he knows only to do that-this makes
him reliable. The man who is a hu-
name and intelligent man has made
him so; and he will treat him with dis
cretion. work him what he can really
bear, and what mainly he loves to do.
He will, therefore, wear at least third
longer. He will do good service till a
ripe old age, while others with hard
treatment are worn out at what should
be their prime.
Take pains to thoroughly and COM
pletely break your colt, and then by
kind handling keep him SO. Let no one
interfere with your work; or, if not fit
ted yourself for the work, get someone
that is qualified to assist you. A horse
is worth it; or if not, he is not worth
having.-C0r. Iadiara1 Farmer.