The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-08-20
TO BREAK A COLT.
Some Sound Advice which it VIII Pay to
Read.


the young horse has a temper which
must be broken, rather than a will
which should be trained to act in uni
son with that of his master. The train
Ing of a horse shou always proceed
upon the principle that he Is a rational
animal-that is, that he has a Will, af-
fection, love Of appreciation, of caresses,
and of observation-disclosures, ability to
comprehend cause al d effect, to under
stand language and tones of voice,
quickness to detect the temper of the
man who handles him, to know IL he
Is kind and loves him. or fretful, ma
lcious or passionate, and likely to hurt
him. The horse is naturally timid, and
his fears, IL aroused, not only make him
less manageable, but impair his judg-
ment, making him see harm in almost
every thing.
The whip should be used as a wand of
authority, as giving the trainers arm a
longer reach. and as a means of giving
sisnals--very seldom as rod of correc-
tion. When 1t Is used to chastise, never
threaten. or let the horse know he Is
to be whipped, but, having him per-
fectly under control, so that his springs
and struggles will do no harm, give
him one or two severe, quick cuts. This
more In sorrow than in anger"-and
the training should be resumed exactly
as If nothing had happened. II a man
Is never spiteful and angry with the
colt, the horse will rearely or never
show any real viciousness
A colt, properly trained, comes to the
age Of three and a half or four years,
halter broken. kind, fond OF being han
died and petted, and glad to see his
master, who should have been in the
habit OF giving him an ear Of corn, a
sweet apple, carrot, or lump of sugar.
so frequently that he will follow him
like dog whenever he goes to the pas
ture. For the good of the horse, even
unpleasant famillarities. such as his
nose over ones shoulder, or in ones
pocket. ought not to be sternly rebuked.
Three ounces of sugar will, in our opin-
ion, go further towards breaking a colt,
than a days work with the whip, and
even at present prices, sugar is a gpd
deal the most economical. The colt
being of such a character he may be
harnessed, putting on each piece OF
harness carefully, so as not to cause
alarm, taking care always, so as not
to cause alarm, taking care always,
should he show any alarm, to let him
Slllell lne article anu look III IL 10 MS
hearts content. The best place to har-
ness a colt is a loose box, nine or ten
feet square. The trainer should be
deliberate, even tediously slow perhaps.
If tho. colt is high strung. II he is very
frac, bus. he may be Rarey-fed, so that
he shall know definitely who is master.
No person who Is the least afraid Of
him, or who would jump or start when
an attempt to kick, bite or strike might
be made, should be allowed to have
any intercourse with a horse In train.
ing. First put on strong bride. hav-
ing measured his head and made II
fit beforehand. 1t should be Of a size
to be put on and Off easily, and have
smooth bit, wound with cotton cloth.
1t Is we'll to accustom him to take a
piece Of wood into his mouth like bit.
repeatedly before putting on the bride.
This done, let him stand an hour not
fastened, or give him few turns about
circle. holding him by twenty-foot
rein or rope. Previous lessons should
have accustomed him to take various
PAGES at the will Of his trainer about
such a ring sugar or other dainty hav-
ing been the reward Of well-doing. At
the second lesson in harness. let an
assistant take the line In centre of the
circle, Wnlle the trainer taxes tHe ItiHs
behind the colt, at first merely holding
them. then letting him feel the weight
OF the hand on them, and finally guild
ing him, little by little, until he may be
driven Independently of the assistant.
and beyond the circle.
When accustomed to the harness,
standing and being exercised in 1t dur
ing one or two lessons each day for two
ia a yyapl according To the dis
position of the animal, he may be put
into the thills, but e'ther the traces nor
holdbacks hitched. How let an assist
ant rock, rattle, and move the wagon
while, and then aid the trainer to move
II forward, while the colt Is made to
walk slowly, letting him have his head
and look at the wagon. Before attach
Ing the traces, at the second lesson In
harness perhaps the trainer on the
night side. and his assistant on the
other, may grasp the thills each with
one hand, just In front of the tugs, let
ting the horse step forward and draw
the wagon by the thills, and letting him
feel its weight as much or little as de-
sired He may be backed somewhat in
the same way. BY his actions, one
may easily judge when II will be safe to
hitch him to the wagon. The vehicle
selected should be one not heavy but
strong, and which will run with little
noise. One simple thing should be
taught at a time, seldom two distinct
ideas at one lesson. They should be
daily repeated at each lesson until per-
fectly familiar, and, after each good
performance, the horse should be car
essed and rewarded. What a horse
learns in this way he remembers, and
he will quickly exhibit really remark
able confidence in his master and alac-
rity to serve him.