Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-04-10
Hints on Colt Breaking

commence almost as soon as it is
born. The first week or so, of
course, not much breaking is to be
done, but after that a colt is to be
handled a little daily. At firsbthe
arm may be put around its neck to
hold it. The colt will struggle and
refuse to submit to the new order
of things. 1t must be handled gently
bnt firmly. After the age OF about
three months colts should be tied a
few hours each day. Not the
whole day and perhaps night, too,
for that would not be healthful.
The halter should fit well enough
so that it will not be pulled off the
head, and the tie rope must also be
strong enough so it will not be
torn bv the colt. This is of great
Importance. A colt that has once
torn rope, and got its freedom in
this way, will attempt to do so
again and again. And if it sue
ceeds few times oftener, a halter
pulling horse is the result. A hab~
it acquired by colt is generally re-
tanned for life, be it bad or good.
This should always be kept in mind
when raising them.
After colts stand well tied they
should be taught to lead. Here
again | must say "hold them.
Should they break loose once they
NAV acquire the habit of trying to
get away and, of course, a boy can
not lead them at all. | have
known young horses that could
hardly be managed 10 be shod.
This was because the owner had
never lifted up the horses legs
when young. This shonld never
be neglected. As long as colts re-
main united not much can be done
in this direction. As soon, howev'
err. as they stand we'll tied, their
legs must be lifted up and the
hoofs hit light taps with the list.
BY and by hammer can be used
too. At first the fore legs only are
to undergo this. When the colts
have become used to this a little,
the hind legs must be TRAINED.
Here the operator must be careful
not to get kicked.
Before colts are to he broken to
harness they should be harnessed
and left in the stable three or tour
times. This will get them ac'
ouainted with the new-fangled rig
| gines on their backs. At first it
| is best to drive colts singly in the
lines. Then hitch them beside an
Old faithful horse to pole. All
this time one must be very careful
not to let them get away. Inc
reins and other parts Of the har-
ness must be strong enough not to
break Binders serve no purpose
on harness for an old horse N d
are wholly out of pace when
breaking colts. While | am at 1t
[ will digrrss a little to say that
blinds serve as dust catchers, con-
We, ing dust into the horses eyes.
They also stop the wind when drlv'
ing so it will make The cold to the
eyes almost unbearable to the
horses. Competent surgeons as
cribe certain eye diseases to the use
Of blinds. Blinds have nothing TO
recommend them end much to con-
denim them, SO they should be dis
carded entirely. They have bene-
fitted the harness dealers and max
ers but not horse owners. l can Z
see any beauty in such leather
fans that hide the bright, intellI-
gent eyes of the faithful animals
Why use them, then?
To get back to my subject WINE
a whip may be necessary at tlmes'
it should seldom be made use OF. A
colt that is whipped concludes that
it is put under the new perform
auce for the purpose of being pun
;shed. That is not what is want
ed. but the animals confidence Is
. TO be gained. This can be done by
!. gentleness only.
Never should colt, or an old
r horse either, for that matter, be
, whipped when it SHES at a strange
noise.