The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-27

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and, folding the knee, bring foot close
up to the leg and you have the best
possible control of the foot and leg;
and, as you repeat the operation, you
can place the foot and leg in different
positions until the colt will allow it
handled in any way that is proper and
necessary for sheer to handle it.
For the left foot use exactly the same
method and principles, placing left
hand inside of left leg, and left should
er against colts left shoulder; and be
very thorough in handling forward feet
before trying hind ones.
To handle hind feet hitch colt so he
cannot step tor,oard and back much, but
do not put binders on him 80 that he
cannot see what you are doing, and do
not attempt any educating in stall, only
such as is necessary and pertaining to
proper stall manners and kindness.
We like, if doing the work alone, to
put on open bride with common easy
bit, and hitch with "cross hitch" of a
light strong rope on each side, with
snaps that snap into the bit rings, the
ropes tied with bow knot in hitch
rings in posts or the stable walls, ten or
twelve feet apart and about seven feet
from the floor, 30 they can be easily
and quickly united if ever it becomes
desirable to do 30. Tie the ropes just
long enough to be taut when snapped
into bit rings with colt holding his head
just high enough to be natural and
comfortable. If colt is not thoroughly
bitted use five ring halter, instead of
bride and hitch snaps, in side rings of
the halter.
With this arrangement, and ropes
hung about seven feet high and twelve
feet apart, it will be seen that, if the
colt steps forward or backward, his
head will be raised in an unnatural po-
sition and he will soon learn to stand
nearly in line between the hitch rings,
where he is perfectly comfortable.
This is handy little rigging to have in
the barn or yard, and with it horses
that have formed the undesirable habit
of dancing, rearing, and jumping when
they start out, or that will not wait for
the driver to get in, can sometimes be
"cured" by Harvesting to the carriage,
as if to 60 somewhere; then hitch in
this way, the driver eating in and out
of the carriage several times, taking up
the reins, ETC., as if to drive--during
the whole performance not saying a
word to the horse after once saying
whoa, the first time he moves. When
he submits to this and will stand quiet
ly, unharness and put him In the barn,
repeating the operation several times
each day, occasionally driving out a
little way until the horse is 30 uncer-
tain whether he is to 60 some where or
not that he becomes unconcerned about
the matter, and his nervousness does
not appear. Omit whipping, yanking,
or loud talk with such horse, for two
or three weeks, and try this method
long enough to know whether it is good
for the case in hand or not.
Coming back to handling the hind
feet: If colt is properly educated in
having his front feet handled it is usual
ly very easy, simple job to gain the
same results with the hind ones. Be-
gin again by thorough, gentle groom
ing, using brush .on hind legs, inside
and outside, clear down to his hoofs;
and do not attempt to lift foot until
the colt is gentle and kind enough so
you can safely place your left hand
down on inside of colts left leg Gas you
stand beside the colts fank,) just be-
low the hook joint, fingers outward and
around back side of leg Gust where
curb would come if the colt were to
have one), letting your left arm and