San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-11
MANAGING HORSES.
HOW YOU SHOULD AND HOW you
SHOULD NOT TREAT THEM.
Horses Err From Ignorance. Pain or Fright.
They Must BE Convinced That Resist
ance Is Useiess-Use the whip sparingiy
and Never Kick the Animal.


Horses are essentially creatures of
habit; of gentle, confiding dispositions,
but excessively nervous; timid, at times
irritable, and prone to resist strenuous
ly anything that frightens them. If, for
example, you put rope halter on an
unbroken colt and tie him TO post. the
more the rope cuts into his tender skin
the greater will be his struggles, while
he will soon yield to halter that in
flicts no pain.
Through nervous fright horses some
times become panic stricken and abso-
lutely uncomfortable. They suffer also
occasionally from what, for want of
better name, may be called nervous
paralysis, when they seem to be phys
ically incapable of motion. This con-
dition is almost invariably the result Of
brutal treatment, and the only reason
able explanation of it is that the first
emotion aroused in the horse by punish
ment is fear; that when he finds that
he cannot escape anger and spirit Of
resistance are mingled with bis fright,
and that these combined emotions pro-
duce 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 new tricks" and his
memory is so retentive that he never
forgets what he has once thoroughly
learned.
1t may also be set down as a rule,
with but few exceptions, that he intends
to do just right If he err. it is from
ignorance. pain or fright, rarely from
stubbornness or vice. This seems to be
generally unknown or at least disre-
garded, for of all animals the horse is
the least understood, the most harshly
judged and unjustly treated, and for the
least infraction of discipline he is too
often brutally punished. If men who
train horses would control their tenn
pers and endeavor to ascertain the cause
of the animals misbebavior, they would
find that there is often 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 dominat-
ing him as the eye does. Therefore
study the eye with its varying express
sions and when you can read its mean
ing you hold the key to one of the chief
secrets of successful horse training.
The horse should be convinced that
resistance is useless, but do not be im-
patient or harsh. Remember that sue
cess is the reward of unwearied pa
thence. If you fail at first, keep trying
until you succeed Do not be discour-
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 be the very last resort, and re.
member always that one, or at most
two, cuts and a few sternly spoken
words are more efficacious than an
hours punishment. There is no more
vicious or false idea than that horse is
benefited by "sound thrashing." On
the contrary, it is the very worst thing
you can do, because the horses recollec-
ton Of the pain and the fright occa-
stoned 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 and at the least
note of anger in your voice (for horses
judge the mood of the trainer by his
manner and his tone>of voice) he may
become almost uncomfortable in his eff
forts to escape the expected flagellation.
1t is a safe rule for any one having
hasty temper not to have a whip at
hand. The temptation to use it may be
too great. And it is also wise not to at
tempt to teach him when you are in a
bad 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.
As the horse makes progress in his edu-
cation he understands better what is re.
quired Of him and traDsgresses less fire..
quently, and nearly always o sound rat
ing when he knows that be IL misbe-
having is sufficient. Smetimes when
this is disregarded slap with the open
hand will cause instant obedience.
There are two forms Of punishment.
or rather brutality, that are inexcusa-
BILE under any OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are
striking horse over the bead, no mat
ter how light the blow, ana kicking
him-and aside from their inhumapit5
there is great danger of permanently in
juring him. Whenever during o lesson.
a colt or young horse becomes heated
and angry, cease at once. and II you
have been impatient and abused him
keep away from him and do not ap-
proach him until he has forgotten the
occurrence.
Be soothing and gentle in your man
ner and your tone of voice. Win bis
confidence, and you will never regret it,
for then in the hour of danger your
voice and the touch of your hand reas-
Rure him and ne will face imminent