PRINCIPLES OF HORSE TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1345, 24 January 1912, Page 8

PRINCIPLES OF HORSE TRAINING.

SOMK I.YfEIIKSTIXU JIIXTS. 'I'lle old term of lireakiug. used synonymously with training and education of horses, is in a. measure objectionable, said !Llr. I'. C. *1 of '..mclpli, Ontario, in the collide ot nil address as it appears to indicate the. exercise of 100 irrcot a degree of force in the process of ('raining. Although harsh measures may l;o iiece.-sary .under samp circumstances Hie guiding principles should lie rather a leading of tire wit into compliance with our wills by artifice rather than by force. 'Some trainers approach Hie task in an aggro-wive mood, prepared and expecting lo use harsh measures, while others, ami, we think the more successful ones, endeavour to accomplish tlie.ii- object; by the exercise of strategy, only resorting to force when' absolutely necessary. Don't Let it do Wrong. Another fundamental principle that should guide u.s in (he training of a. colt, is to never place the animal in a position to (io wrong, for if he succeeds in acting in opposition to t.lie wilt of his trainer lie. is apt to repeat the act, if an opportunity is afforded. Let us take the example of a. shy, nervous, high-spirite.d horse, easily frightened, and inclined to fum around sharply, io shy badly, and rear or plunge, if restrained. .It is courting disaster to subject such an animal to conditions ci.lr.ulated til frighten him. until bis mouth is made so you cannot control him. The voung horse should also have the sharp edge taken ofT his spirit by sufficient work in a quiet: place. Hitch him alongside of a tractable, well-trained linrse to give him confidence, and assist, in controlling him when lie is first: subjected lo sights and sounds likely lo disturb him. Kverv time lie is hitched with such a horse lii< side should be changed, so as to loach him to go, carry liis head straight, and get used to the pole. 011 either side of him. Such treatment will soon get him ready for single hitching without delay. Kicking and Halter Pulling, Sever hitch a colt single without the use of a kieking-strap, until he lias a few weeks' experience, for if he once kicks successfully, lie will not forget it. J)o not tie up ii colt in a place so he can pull back ami become a halter puller. Tie him with ,a strong halter and tie-rope and with something to back against so he can't pull back. It is iiiiioh more trouble, and not nearly so satisfactory to have to try to correct faults than it is to avoid their development. The exercise of force is sometimes valuable in nervous, head-strong horses, but never try force unless you are sure of being able to attain your ends. For instance, some horses are very nervous about being saddled, and could easily be taught to be bnckcrs. Tliis tendency is not rice, it is nervousness. liv putting a twitch on for ten minutes while saddling anil putting a man on the hack and leading about with the twitch, the nervousness can be overcome, while at the same time Uie horses get. used to the • pressure on the back. I have seen this plan save a lot oi trouble and biui habits ore not learned. Another important point in training is giving steady work. Leaving an interval of two or three (lays between lessons is a vorv bad plan, as Hie sharp edge has to be" kept off a horse's spirits to keep him teachable. A colt never learns anything but bad bahits when he is suffering from exuberance of spirits. Give liini a lesson in some way every day, and two le<soiis a day arc better than one. It is not necessary to jade a colt, but keep him steadilv at it.. Two lessons ot half an hour are better than one of an hour s duration: