The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-22
AGRICULTURAL.
Educating Colts for ROadsters.
BY j. W. DAVIS, FAIRLKE, VI.


effects and their causes, is an important
and never ceasing study in the success
full and practical education of colts.
Assuming that every effect has its
cause, it is very important that the edu-
Gator should notice every effect or re-
suit as it develops, and know, or ascer-
tain its cause, whatever amount of in
vestigation and study may be required;
and If the development or effect is I'M
desirable, in order TO avoid or eradicate
the effect first remove the cause. Again,
IL certain effects are desired, the
knowledge of their causes is just as I'M
portant, and the best and most certain
causes should be employed to produce
the desired effects with the greatest
certainty, and nothing should be done
without knowing why it should be
done.
In the education of colts we believe
in eclectic methods-that no man, how
ever extensive his experience, should
settle down to the self-satisfed belief
that he knows it all, and that there is
nothing more for him to learn, but
that he should be ever ready to gain a
point from whatever source he may be
able TO do so. Read the books of men
in the profession who have proved
themselves successful enough to be
considered authority, and perhaps it
will be found that what he is practicing
to-day, in the firm belief that it is his
own new discovery, was practiced by
horsemen centuries ago.
New books, or old books, may give
the results of years of the thought and
practice of the greatest thinkers and
most practical men of their time.
Hence, by an hours study or reading,
we may gain the knowledge that has
cost some one lifetime to attain by
experience, which, though of great
value, is so simple that we may truly
wonder "why did we not think of it
ourselves" At the same time we may
ourselves be so simple that we should
not have discovered it during our best
years, or even life time. We must not,
however, expect, without great deal
of practice, to equal the success of
these great men, even with the best aid
they can give US.
Another object in being as thorough
ly and well informed as possible in
horsemanship, if we are to practice it,
is to make as few mistakes as possible,
for, as every experienced handler of
colts well knows, the business is fraught
with danger to ''life and limb" of the
educator, and to a great extent the
public in general. We have heard it
said "there is as much difference in
horses as in men," We are fully con-
WINGED that there are foolish" horses,
naturally vicious, and horses with brain
80 out of balance as to be properly
called insane, which no educator can
reform into good sensible, kind, safe,
reliable family beasts. But there are
many abused, despised and wronged
horses, from the deplorable fact that
educators or owners. The following
quotation from an old printed work ex-
presses our sentiments admirably:
"Many horse has finer nervous Or
ganization, better sense and better
blood, than the human simpleton who
owns and drives him." Though all
horses have animal instincts, that we'll
bred horses with sound, we'll balanced
brain, do think and reason is beyond
question or doubt with US, and we will
confidently attempt to convince any
doubter who will call on us.
In offering the following suggestions
to "the boys" we will not attempt to
name all authorities quoted, and if
readers credit US with anything origi-
nal we.will humbly say, improve it all
you can. To become successful edu-
Gator of colts requires tact and tenn
permanent that many who attempt it do
not possess, and without which they
can never succeed. To such we would
say it will be much better for them
selves-and their colts-to employ some
good competent educator who is in the
business and has the necessary facili-
ties and implements to educate them,
and UhO does not use Intoxicating drinks.
No man can make out an invariable
and full code of rules for properly edu-
eating all colts, as different dispositions
and qualities must be differently man
aged. But an educator can and should
have invariable rules for his 0wn con-
duct and practice in fitting for service
the most useful and noble of all ami
mails, if properly educated, but not only
useless, very destructive to life and
property if not properly educated or
controlled.
The first lessons are very important,