The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-16
Managing Horses.

Horses are essentially creatures of
habit. OF gentle, confiding disposi-
tiOns, but excessively nervous; timid;
at times irritable, and prone to resist
s:renously anything that frightens
them. II, for example, you put rope
halter on an unbroken colt and tie him
to a post, the more the rope cuts into
his tender skin the greater will be his
struggles, while he will soon yield to a
halter that inilicts no pain.
Through nervous fright, horses
sometimes become panie-stricken and
absolutely uncomfortable. They suffer
also occasionally from what, for want
of better name, may be called 'Der-
vous paralysis" when they seem to be
physically incapable Of motion. This
condition is almost invariably the re-
suit Of brutal treatment, and the only
reasonable explanation of il is that the
first emotion aroused in the horse by
| punishment is fear; that when he finds
that he cannot escape, anger and
spirit of resistance are mingled with
his fright, and that these combined
emotions produce this morbid state.
The horse is quick to take advantage
Of the ignorance or the fear of those
who control him. As compared with
the dog, he is somewhat slow of COM
prehension, but he differs from the dog
in this also, that he seldom becomes
''tOO old To learn neA tricks" and his
memory is 50 retentive, that he never
forgets what he has once thoroughly
| learned.
with but few exceptions, that he in
tends to do just right; if he err, it is
from ignorance, pain or fright; rarely
from stnbbOrnness or vice. This seems
to be generally unknown, or at least
understood, the most harshly judged
and unjustly treated; and for the least
infraction Of discipline he is too often
brutalIy punished. If men who train
horses would control their tempers,
and endeavor to ascertain the cause of
the animals misbehaviOr, they would
find that there is often a good excuse
for his actions.
The eye is the best index to the ami
mails feelings. The ears are very ex-
pressive, but they do not reveal so
plainly the emotions that are dOmina-
ting him as the eye does. Therefore
study the eye with its varying expires
sions, and when you can read its
meaning you hold the key to one of the
chief secrets of successful horse train
ing.
The horse should be convinced that
resistance is useless; but do not be
impatient or harsh; remember that
success Is the reward of unwearied pa
tience. If you fail at first, keep trying
until you succeed. DO not be diseour-
aged if you do not seem to make much
progress; your task may take weeks or
even months, but if you Persevere you
will triumph.
While it is true that with some
horses the whip must be occasionally
used, it should I'e the very last resort;
and remember always that one, or at
most two, cuts, with few sternly
spoken words, are III )re eiiie1ciOas
than an hours punishment. There is
NJ mere vicious or false idea than that
4 horse is benefited by n ''sound thrash
ing" Oh the contrary, il is the very
worst thing you can do, because the
horses recollection of the pain and
fright occasioned by it is more vivid
and enduring than his remembrance
of why it was administered, and at
your next lesson he is nervous and
afraid, aud at the least note of anger
in your voice for horses judge the
mood of the trainer by his manner Of
and his tone of voice., he may become
almost uncomfortable in his efforts to
escape the expected flagellation. 1t is
a safe rule for sny one having a hasty
temper not to have whip at hand;
- : temptation to use it may be too
gr..t Nm I it is also wise not to attempt
49, ----<s--<---=s..,>suxss- -,s--.l-
to teach him wnen you are an a Uad
humor, for if he does not do just right
you will probably vent some of it on
him.
When whipping is used only as
last resort the necessity for it seldom
arises; rs the horse makes progress in
his education he understand better
what is required of him and trans
gresses less frequently; and nearly al
ways sound rating when he knows
that he misbehaving is sufficient.
Sometimes when this is disregartied,
slap with the open hand will cause in
slant obedience.
There are two forms Of punishment,
or rather brutality, that are inexcusa-
ble under any eircumstanees-these
are striking horse over the head, no
matter how light the blow and kick
ing him; and, aside from their inhu-
manity, there is great danger of per-
manently injuring him. Whenever,
during lesson, colt or young horse
becomes heated and angry, cease at
once, and if you have been impatient
and abused him, keep away from him
until he has forgotten the occurrence.
BE soothing and gentleness in your
manner and your tone of voice, win his
confidence, and you will never regret
il, for then in the hour Of danger your
voice and the touch Of your hand re-
assure him, and he will face imminent
peril, if only you are near.
In conclusion, never forget that the
triumph of the trainers art is in will
ing and cheerful obedience from a de-
sire to please, and because long custom
has made it habit, not because the
horse fears to disobey through d;ead of
punishment.-Our Animal Friends.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve.