The record-union., 1893-02-06
EDUCATION OF THE HORSE.
Give 1t to Him Who Is Firm,
Gentle and Patient.
The Qualifications of Successful Colt
Trainer Are Good Judgment, Quick
Observation and Lasting Patience,
With Considerable of Practical Ex-
perience.
perience

DO~N
such a system of breaking in a colt cam
not justly be termed educating or train
ing the animal. A Kansas farmer re-
Gently gave very comprehensive and
. intelligent view of the manner in which
youngster may be trained, without the
cruelty, we are afraid is so much in vogue
with most farmers and horsemen in that
period of the horses life when it is first
taught submission to man. He says:
1.-THE value of a horse for many pur-
poses depends as much upon his educa-
ton as upon his registered ancestors.
The wild horse is of little or no use to
man upon the wild plains, but in proper
ton to his training and knowledge re-
ceived from man does his value increase
as farm animal. In view of this, it is
high time that the fifteen and half mill
ion of horses which are in America to-
day should receive the best instruction.
Who shall educate? Children are not
competent to educate children, neither
are boys competent TO educate colts, nor
would l give 1t into the hands of those
who, strictly speaking, are afraid of horses,
but to him who is firm, with good horse
sense gentle, patient and cautious, If such
be boy in measure he is a man. Horses
vary much in disposition, and the man
who would be an accomplished horseman
must study his subjects disposition as
carefully as the successful teacher does his
scholars. Had you in all cases the pre-
pairing of the foundation of the colts edu-
cation would have you begin back with
Its embryo life, and, better even, back with
Its sire and dam, selecting only those of a
desirable quality and disposition, being
sure to have them in a perfect state OF
health at the beginning of a new life, and
then caring for the dam during the period
OF CESSATION with such caution as not to
allow her to become excited or provok ed
10 an unreasonable degree.
During the colts first yearit should be
handled with the greatest of kindness las
should it be through life, never attempt
ing to hold it, or imparting instruction in
any way without (tirst) being fully pre-
pared 10 do so and (second) always ac-
compllshing your end. The qualifications
of a successful colt trainer are good judg-
Inent, quick observation and lasting
patience, with considerable of practical
experience. With a trainer OF above
qualifications the most treacherouS dis
posltloned colt can be converted into a
faithful and useful servant. | would
train the colt to lead and stand hitched
early in life, as well as teaching it to eat
the required food before weaving which
you know must support its life afterward.
During the colts second year a repetition
OF its first years instruction is about all
that can be required, remem bering that
farm work or labor, as its bones do not
become sufficiently hardened to perform
any labor, without injury, until it is near
ly grown. However, it may be trained to
the bride, which will accustom it to the
bit, and also serve as an easier method of
handling it at this age.
Now, beginning with the ancestors and
following as L have directed thus far YOU
have laid permanent foundation on
which To build its useful education, but
many, not having the privilege to build
this foundation, and others neglecting it
from the busy cares and bustles of life, at
this age | will begin with another colt (of
which instructions will also apply to the
former as ordinarily found in the COM
mon farm barnyard. This is the age at
which l would introduce the main por-
ton of the harness. By the way, allow me
10 say that deem IL an important object
in this subject to always select the grade
and size OF harness that is adapted TO your
work and horse, bearing in mind to keep
it pliable and without defect, as an over
sized collar, stiff, heavy harness, or an
unsewed line, may be the ruination of a
colt at this age, when it is to be used at
very moderate work. Early in the third
year select time when the roads and
weather are suitable. Being sure that
your horse has had all the exercise he de-
sires to take in an open lot you may let
him return 10 his usual stall. then place
and fasten the harness on him very
gently 1t is we'll to give him a small
feed of grain to lessen the excitement, if
there be any, caused by his new encum-
brance. He may now be taken to the
wagon for his first work, and placed by
the side of your steadiest lead animal-or
your neighbours, if you have none suita-
ble-for it is essential that this animal be
one that is trusty and possesses a good
brisk and reachy walk, and the more of
these qualities your lead animals has the
better suited it is for the place First,
hitch your lead animal; second, your colt
before; and third, the tugs of the same,
while your assistant is holding him by
the bit; then getting into the wagon the
colt may be led for few hundred yards,
when the leader, quietly falling behind,
can easily take his place with the driver
after which allow them to move off in q
good reaching walk, to acquire that life
and gait which is so necessary to be
taught in the colts first lesson, and also
to lessen the danger of becoming en-
tangled. Now comes the time for teach
ting the language which, by all means,
should be given carefully and impress
sively, and required to be obeyed. Atthis
point, men as well as boys, let me, with
great force, stamp in your hats-Teach
but few words and teach them WELL
Even MANY of you who read this paper
will recall to memory that you are per-
lnitted to enjoy life to-day by the ready
obedience of your horse in some particu-
lar instance,
During his fourth year he may be en-
ployed at different kinds of farm work,
which will serve to develop his powers.
and bear in mind at this age to use him
sparingly, giving properly prepared food,
as at this time greater change is taking
place in his mouth by the developing and
replacing of new teeth than during any
previous or subsequent period. [ would
af &c haf f1,a f,o
trained to drive single, if desired, al
though many horses have been trained
to this branch of work during their third
year, and appear quite docile as well as
graceful. but allow me the truth-that a
boy is a boy and enjoys that company,
likewise a colt is q colt and enjoys the
same, hence the greater the age the less
the danger and resistance to go along.
When desired the horse may be hitched
TO the buggy in the demonstrating
worked in the wagon, or at its usual work :,
during the forenoon-being careful to
hitch and start him as above mentioned.
In driving the horse single for the first
time he should be allowed to draw the
lines sufficiently to produce constant,
steady, but gentle, pressure on the bit,
and if this is not his disposition it should
be insisted on by the driver, as thus
held the horse will soon become so ac-
customed to the hand of the driver that
his speed will be regulated accordingly
(and with equal value if not greater) to
prevent he accidents that so Often occur
by loosely held rein. By teaching you
this important lesson, as a driver, you
will find that he will travel faster and far
ther day with greater ease to himself
and much less trouble to you. With
these directions no trouble is likely to
occur unless that, by being alone, he
should see some object in front which
will induce him to go back rather than