The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-05-14

the general character OF our farm AMI
mails BY the introduction Of good breeds
but it should never be forgotten that
improved breeds require feeding.
owe want better grass and hay" No
doubt. But until we get it, let US feed
out more grain.
Training Colts and Calves to Lead.
The season Of the year is about
here when there will be more or less
Young colts and calves on the farm
to be raised and trained and we will
say som thing in regard to the break
ing or training, which when properly
viewed is of great Importance. This
training should begin very early II
we would save much after trouble. 1t
has been common, by many farmers,
to begin training their colts at an
early age, but as to calves this can
hardly be said, except in rare IN
stances. 1t is almost as important
t. train the calves as the colts if we
would have them under our CON-
mand and especially if we intend
them for use on the farm as milk
stock, or for work. Colts and caly-
es broke to the halter, and trained
to stand tied, or to lead. grow up
gentle and submissive and seldom
give their owners any trouble when
they are grown, and are wanted to
be broken for working or to be milk
ed. There is nothing on the farm
more dangerous or vexatious than
catching up wild young horse three
or four years old, and which has run
all it's life unrestrained, and attempt
by main force and often pure awk-
wardness, to break him to lead, and
work in harness; and about the same
has to be said with reference to
breaking a wild, young COW, with
her first calf. Hence, the Importance
of early and complete training.
The first attempt to discipline a
young animal is to teach it to stand
while tied, and. to lead with the
halter. A calf should be taken from
the cow quite young and tied up;
strap with a buckle being placed
around it's neck. A ring should be
put on the strap, and light chain
with swivel in it fastened to the
ring by snap-hook. The calf will
not chew nor suck the chain as it
would strap or rope, and this an
moving trick will not be learned. 1t
can turn about as much as it pleases
without twisting the chain and
strangling itself. 1t should be led
to the cow twice day to suck, for
three or four days, when it may be
taught to drink, and altogether wean-
ed if desirable. Some patience will
be required to teach it to lead, but
in very short time, if properly
managed, it will learn what is want
ed, and be no trouble. AS 10 colt,
halter it up until it ceases to pull on
the strap, after which it can easily be
taught to lead. A little training
each day will very soon teach it to
lead nicely. After this is accom-
plished lei it run with its mother
and have all freedom, except when
wanted for more training, which
should be of frequent occurance.
Teach the colt to lead so well, that
when the mother is wanted for work
on the roads it can be tied at her
side, and to the ring in the names,
and it will follow right along. Make
the strap just long enough for the
colt to suck when the team stops,
but not long enough for it to get
back in the way of the wheel of the
wagon.
The best way to start calf or colt
to lead is to stand by its side, and
slowly, but firmly, pull its head to-
ward you. This will cause it to step
its feet to keep from falling, and by
continuing the movement it soon
learns to step around, and can soon
be taught to lead without even learn
ing to pull with all it's strength at
the rope, trying to get away.