The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-09-07
Training Colts.


gagged in .'breaking'' ,hTee-year-old
colt to drive single. It had run wild
up to three days before, when it was
caught, surcingle fastened around its
body, bride put on. and a check rein
drawn tight and fastened to the sur
cinsle. During the greater part OF
those three days it had walked about
the yard with its neck curved like
new moon, champing the bit in its
mouth, and turning its head from side
to side in vain efforts to ease ITS cramp-
ed neck
The men now had it hitched to
heavy -oad-cart, and were giving il
course Of lessons in driving. After a
fierce struggle of about an hours dura-
tion, 1t threw itself down, and there it
stayed, despite all their kicking, slash
ing and yelling. They threw dirt in its
ears,put pepper in its mouth, twisted its
tail and poured water on its head, and
tried everything they could think of to
maze it get up, but without avail.
They were finally obliged to take off the
harness and leave it lying there. a
few days afterwari I saw one of them
driving it along the road at rapid gait,
and 1t was one Of the most dilapidated
specimens of Ihree-yesT-ol horse flesh
that i ever beheld. One of the men in
formed me that they had il pretty
we'll broke" but it occasionally took
''spell" ana cavorted about consldera-
bly,, but q good dose of black snake took
the ''tantrums" out OF it, and they ex-
pected to make a good horse out of II in
a week or two more.
A few days ago l saw another man
training q fine bred, high spirited colt
TO drive single, and though it acted
little coltish and unsteady it was NOV
ing along quite nicely. L learned that
it had been handled almost contsantly
all it's life, and it was accustomed to
being led about, tied in the stable and
to posts outside, and mad been harnessed,
saddled aid bridled SO often that 1t had
not the least fear of either, 1t was one
of those fiery, high spirited animals that
make the best and safest of roadsters if
properly trained, but which little mis-
management at the start will utterly
ruin. 1t was in the hands OF the right
man, and will make valuable horse.
Passing farm house a short time
ago observed two boys having what
they termed ''some fun'' with a young
colt They were teasing it in every
possible manner they could think OF,
and though it could not have been over
four or five weeks old, t had already
oecome as vicious as bad mule, and
kicked and struck with its fore feet
quito as savagely. 1t was learning les
sons it would remember through life,
and some innocent person will have TO
suffer for the foolish acts OF those BOYS.
Every person who raises colts should
remember that they are not playthings,
and all who come about should be given
to distinctly understand that no teasing
or other fooiishness will be permitted.
Gentle fondling occasionally does no
harm, and if the animal is high spirited
is often beneficial but under no cir
cumstances should the young animal be
allowed to take any liberties with its
attendant. 1t should always be trsatsd
honestly and fairly, and 1t will acquire
confidence in its attendant, and rarely,
il ever. develop any trickery or vicious
ness of any sort
A colt should be haltered when four
or five days old, and tied to the man ger
Or STALL hasida ifs dom Tb;a a. ;,s g..
lesson. and the next is to be led. Have
one person lead the dam about the yard
and another fellow with the colt. When
the mare is set to work the colt should
be led to her whenever it is allowed to
suck, not turned loose and allowed to
dash at her helter-skelter. A colt that
is taught to lead we'll is easily tsughtto
drive well when the proper time comes.
These first lessons are generally neg
lected because they appear so simple :;
but they are important because they are
remembered, and often are the rssl
making Of reliable horse. It should
be bridled, harnessed and saddled while
young. and then no trouble gill be ex-
perienced in putting these things on
when it is grown up. In fact, the first
three years of a colts life should be a
period Of easy, gentle training, so that
when 1t arrives at an age when it can
be made useful it is ready to fulfill its
mission. Such horse is really worth
fifty per cent. more than one, ,requal in
other respects. that has grown up wild.
N. Y. Examiner.