The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-09-12
10 Break and Train a Colt.

10 Break n IRAN a SoIt.
The breaking and training of a colt
should begin at IN early age. Three
things are to be accomplished: First,
we desire to teach the colt to submit
to mans control, and in doing this we
must first overcome its fear. This
can most easily be accomplished when
II pupil is quite young, not over one
or two months old (the younger the
better), by handling and petting ii
when in the stable with its dam. At
this time a strong man can catch and
hold it securely until it gives in and
ceases to show fear. At this age also
it should be broke to the halter n
taught to stand tied and also to be
led. Colts should always be left in the
stable when the mother is taken out
TO work, then when weaving time
comes you will have but little trouble
to manage them. During the summer
season | prefer TO have it run with
its dam in a good pasture during the
night, as this will develop its muscle
as well as a good frame and constitu-
ton to fit it for future usefulness.
The second year of the colts life is
usually spent in the pasture, and the
training is usually neglected, but it
would be better if they were occasion.
ally led to the stable to keep them
under control. During the third year
we should try and accomplish Il Sec
ond object in its training, that Of
teaching it to perform the various
kinds of labor, which We expect to fit
it for, whether for draft OF lighter
employment. If we have properly
handled our pupil during its first two
years there will be no breaking to do
now, simply training. For its first
lesson | prefer to hitch it with a good,
trusty horse to a stout wagon, and if
time is not too precious | would drive
it each day, for two or three days,
without a load, and then if it has
learned to walk up straight you can
gradually increase. Do lot be in a
hurry at this stage of the game, as
haste may spoil the job. After a few
days training | hitch to a pillow, har-
row, corn plow, or whatever work is
on hand at the time, and give my
pupil a lesson in the different kinds of
work that it will be expected to per-
form in the future, always being care
full not to overdo or discourage it, but
aiming to give continuous training
from day to day. There is so much
required of a good farm horse nova
days, that it will take some time to
teach it all about the running of the
various farm machines, and great
care is necessary until it becomes ac-
customed to this kind of work. But
a well-trained horse is a valuable
thing on the farm, and will well re-
pay us for the time spent and the pa
tience and care exercised in bringing
his coltship to this desired attain
ment. Our third object is to avoid
the acquiring of any bad habits by
our pupil during this time of training.
We should be sure to have good, sub
stantial harness and other accoutre-
ments, when working with colts, so
that we may not be placed at a dis
advantage by the breaking of the
same at some critical period. The
great object is to teach the colt that
man is it's master, and to prevent 1t
from acquiring that ervou habit of
becoming frightened at every strange
noise or object that it encounters.
Never whip a colt when it is fright
ened, but keep cool, and it will soon
learn to overcome this spirit of fear.
A great help in teaching a colt this
desirable trait of fearlessness is a
quiet, fearless mate to work it with
during this training period. This is
especially desirable in this age of the
world, when we are likely to meet
trolley cars, automobiles and other
frightful things at any time.
There is such a difference in the
disposition Of colts that the stage of
its training at which l would teach it
to work single would vary with diff
ferent subjects. Some are much cas-
Ter taught than others. We will, by
the time our pupil has become used
to team work, have learned its dis.
position SO that we will know how to
manage this part of its training.-In-
diana Farmer.