The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-05-16
To Teach a Colt to Back.

This part of farmers education should
not be neglected, says an exchange. 1t
can generally be accomplished by few
lessons with the Bonaparte bride, which
consists of small, strong cord not much
larger than a common lead pencil,
attached to the lower jaw and kept In
p ace by passing it over the neck just
back of the ears. Take piece Of small
clothes line some ten or twelve feet long
Tic a knot near one end, and draw it close
so that it will not slip. About ten or
twelve inches back of that tie loose knot.
Pass the end of the rope containing the
first knot back through the loose one and
draw it close. This will form small
loop, which should be passed around the
lower jaw, and over the tongue into the
mouth like bit.
Stand on the near side of the colt.
Pass the free end Of the cord up the OF
side of his face over his neck just back
of the ears, down the near side of the
iowls and through the loop attached to
his jaw. Draw it moderately tight and
fasten with bow knot, so as to keep the
loop from slipping from the jaw. This
is a very powerful bride, and the one
who applies it should be careful to avoid
all harshne.s, for in rough hands it be-
comes an instrument of torture. After
adjusting the cord as above described,
step in front of the subject, take the free
end of the cord in the left hand, grasp it
with the right few inches from the jaw,
and say, in firm, mild tone: 'Back,
Ben,n or whatever his name may be; at
the instant the command is given press
upon the cord with the right hand.
He may not back at the first command
nor the second. but the pressure upon
the cord in the mouth will prove un-
comfortable, and to obtain relief VII
soon step back, perhaps an inch or two
with one foot. The instant he does
this give him his head and caress him.
After resting few moments repeat the
performance, und so continue until he
will step back at word of command with
out pressure upon the cord. 1t may
take several lessons to accomplish this,
but by persevering gently the object will
soon be accomplished.
1t is good idea to have few apples,
potatoes, oats or Jumps of sugar in the
pocket to give the colt while patting
him, after he has obeyed a command.
They are much more effective than whips
and clubs. After he has become some.
what proficient in walking backward out
of the harness apply that and give him
few lessons. Then put him in the shafts
and educate him gradually to throw his
weight into the breeching. Mr.. j. R.
Farnum, of Waltham, who has handled
and studied horses all his life, has owned
such trotters as Commonwealth (2:22),
has bred Eddie Wilkes (2:294) and sew.
eral other fast ones, says that his method
of teaching colt to back is to stand him
with his head toward barn door or gate,
then open it gently and swingit toward
him, at the same time repeating the COM
mand to back. As the door approaches
his face he will step back to avoid being
struck, and after few repetitions will
step back at the word without waiting
for the door or gate. A colt should
never be driven under a shed or into a
corner where it is necessary to back him
in order to get him out, until he has
been thoroughly educated in the art of
backing, for if few attempts to back
him out of such place prove failures,
the habit of refusing will become chronic
and can be overcome only with great
difficulty. Take plenty of time to give
him his lessons, otherwise the truth OF
the old adage, "the more haste, the less
speed" will become apparent.