BREAKING COLTS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 5 December 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

BREAKING COLTS.

I suppose now, in the whirl and excitement of Rarey’s System,” anything not in that line on the subject of “ breaking colts 1 ’ ■will be deemed impertnicnt. But for the sake of those who have not adopted that system, and still have eolts to break, I have a few words to say. It is admitted by all that the horse is one of the most tractable and intelligent of all the animals that have been created for the use of man. It is also well known, an indeed follows naturally from this, that if is temper is once soured and his anger roused till he becomes hostile to man, the horse is capable of the most provoking ugliness. This being the case, much of the character of a horse evidently depends on the manner in which he is broken, and the treatment he receives from man. But whether this has been attended to or not, the breaking should always he commenced in a spacious stable with soft floor and smooth sides. After gently handling the head, neck, and shoulders, for a time, proportioned to the wilditess and spiritednoss of his nature, a soft but strong bridle is presented to him, and after he has smelled of it sufficiently it is slipped gently oyer his head and the bit inserted. In the same quiet manner a bitting harness is placed upon him. The bridle should be furnished with gag runners and side straps, but martingales should never be used. After very gradually drawing in his head till it is in the right place, or he begins to show signs of anger, winch point should never passed, he should- ho encouraged to follow you about the stable by loosening the rein a little every time he comes to you. He soon discovers that he is in the power of a superior, and yields to his will. He should be then taught to start and stop at the word, and to obey the slightest influence of the rein. This may be done by passing the finger through the bridle rein where it rests on the shoulder, and directing his course to every part of the stable bj- the slightest pressure in one direction or the other. He may now bejlrivcn about the stable with lines. During this time he should be caressed and handled kindly and fearlessly all over. He may now, if entirely submissive, be driven out of doors, but should never be attached to a carriage or load until by such firm and patient tuition he had learned to submit fully and implicitly in the direction of his master. It is a good plan, if convenient, to hitch him beside a steady and kind horse and drive them with a light, load He should have been so well trained in the stable, however, before this, as to know better than to scare at any trifle. This course of conduct continued invariably procure a true and obedient disposition and amiable character and an intelligent education for the horse. In those parts of Ohio which have been settled by Pennsylvanians, the manner of breaking colts in every different from this—a system, by the way, which lias many good points. They harness in the entirely untamed colt beside the near wheel-horse in a team of four or six horses, and drive on without regad to the frantic evolutions which he will some times make. The strong chains, however before and behind him, and the weight of the team and load prevent his doing any mischief. He discovers that his struggles arc in vain, and a few slaps from the tongue, in a rough road, soon teach him to walk out contentedly in his place. A universal error is working their colts while too young. It is not uncommon to see colts only two years old worked day after day in the team. Thc'horse should be trained while young, but should never be worked till his form is developed and his muscles strengthened by mature age. He should always be regarded as an intelligent and docile animal, with great powers and capacities for being highly serviceable to man. He should be educated and instructed, not forced into subjection. His proud spirit should be curbed and directed, but not subdued. His master should be a man, not a tyrant, and should treat him, not as a slave, but as a willing and obedient servant. —Dollar Xeivspaper.