Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-09-13
To Break and Train a Colt.

i he DIeUhIuS 11u tIoAAAA0 ~
should begin at an early age. Three
things are to be accomplished: First.
we desire to teach the colt to submit
10 mans central, and in doing this we
must first overcome its fear. ThlS
can most easily be accomplished when
our 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 it's DAM. At
this time a strong mai 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 and
taught to stand tied and also to be
! led. Colts should always be left in the
| stable when the mother is taken out
10 work, then when weaving time
| comes you will have but little trouble
to manage them. During the summer
season l prefer to have it run with
| it's dam in a good pasture during the
night, as this will develop its muscle
as we'll 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 We're occasion
ally led to the stable to keep them
under control. During the third year
We should try and accomplish our Sec
end 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 or lighter
employment. If weShaye 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 q load. and then II it has
; learned to walk up straight you can
; begin to load, lightly at first, and
gradually increase. Do not be in a
hurry at this stage OF the. game. as
haste may spoil the Job. After a few
y days training ! hitch to a pillow, har.
' row, corn plow, or whatever work is
= on hand at the time, and give my
y pupil a lesson in the different kinds Of
. work that it will be expected to per-
u form in the future, always being care
l. full not to overdo or discourage it, but
"a 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 te
teach it all about the running of the
various farm machines, and grea,
j. care is necessary until it becomes &C
custOmed to this kind of work. Blu
is a well-trained horse is a valuable
thing IN the farm, and will well re
Id pay us for the time spent and the pa
s, thence and care exercised in bringing
or his coltship to this desired attain
al ment. Our third object is to avoi
IN h acquiring of any bad habits b,
t. our pupil during this time OF training
We should be sure to have good, sub
stantial harness n other accoutre
ue ments, when working with colts, S.
ee that we may not be placed at a dis
IT, advantage by the breaking of til
ly, same at some critical period. TIL
as great object is to teach the colt tina
its man is its master, and to prevent
OF from acquiring that nervous habit G
es becoming frightened at every strane
VIZ OOJSSV l1Ul IL
on Never whip a colt when it is frigh
cd ened, but keep coolsa and It will 500
Sc, learn to overcome this spirit OF fea
on- A great help in teaching a colt thj
ed desirable trait of sfearlessness is
quiet, fearless mate to work it wit
q during this training period. This
ice especially desirable in this age of III
liz world, when We are likely to NEE
is trolley cars, automobiles and 9th.
n.y. tfightful things at any time.
for There is such a Conference in r.
or disposition OF colts that the stage
ere It's training at which I would teach
is TO work single would vary with n
ferent subjects. Some are much Ga
or Ter taught h others. We will !
the time. our pupil has become nc.
lnd TO team work, have learned its 4
ood position SO that we will know how
ase manage this part Of its training-I
not diana Farmer. :