Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-15
EDUCATING YOUNG HORSES
Proper Rearing and Training of Colts
Is a Task Requiring Skill
and Experience

The horse always has been recog-
nized as mans closest animal compan-
ion, and it is a question as to whether
the man ever lived who did not delight
in driving or riding good horse. This
subject is of particular interest to every
man who raises or handles horses. An
old saying is that eggs and colts are
much alike, for they must be broken
before they can be used.
The proper breaking of a colt. says
John Buckler, who has charge of the
live stock at the Iowa experiment. sta
ton, determines in large part the flu
ture usefulness of the horse and no man
who has dealt in horses and experienced
difficulties in their management will
deny that there is much room for i'm
provement in that line. Every day
brings fresh illustrations of improper
breaking. Less than a week ago a man
drove down to the experiment station
barn, driving horse that had been
handled for more than two years that
had not been taught to back. This is
only one of many similar cases.
Besides the losses resulting from i'm
proper breaking. thousands of dollars
are lost to the farmers every year by
selling horses that have not been prop
erly fitted for sale.
In breaking, the first thing to be con-
sidered is the nature of the horse. The
dispositions of no two horses are exact
~ alike. There is also a great differ
ence in the draft temperament and
those more highly bred. such as trotting
and coach horses. the former recurring
much less preparatory handling than
the latter.
After studying closely the disposition
OF the colt, the next step is to halter.
and in this, as well as all other periods
of the breaking. the person in charge
should exercise patience The colt
should be gotten into some shed or box
stall, preferably one with ground
ffoor, so there Will be no danger of slim
ping. Now. with halter. to which is
attached 10 feet of rope. gently work
around the colt. caressiug him as much
as possible. so as to win his confidence
and when he sees you are not going 70
hurt him you can usually put the halter
on without any trouble. Now. presum-
ing this colt to be one that will mil
on the halter. take the loose end of the
rope and pass it through a hole in the
manger or around post back between
the fore legs. around the girth and tie
Ihe colt is now tied by both head and
body. Step back and let him fieht II
out. which will take only a short time
And when tied in this way there is no
danger OF injury as is sometimes the
case when tied by the head ONLY. As
soon as he gives up pulling go to him
and caress him. and by so doing give
him to understand that you are his
friend. 1t is well to leave him tied for
some little time. after ..ai =
be leo.
Leading is very important part A
morse wei broken to lead is more at
tractlve, easier TO handle. and will COM
mand a higher price in the market than
one that is not. In training to lead AL
ways teach the colt to walk beside Won
and never allow him to follow along
pehind, as is often done. This can b..
done by taking a whip in the left hand
touching him up a little from behind
After being well trained to walk beside
you encourage him to trot.