THE FARM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 134, 19 January 1916, Page 4

THE FARM.

Breaking in Colts. "What a horße is once traind to do fco will nearly always do under like conditions." This serves as a foreword ot a practical set ot instruction for breaking and training colts, as set forth by Mr V G Stanibaugb, of the Federal Division of Animal Husbandry, United States Department ot Agriculture. Emphasising the importance of a good moutb, the American expert says:—"A colt's .mouth may be spoiled by severe bits, by a too tight adjustment of the reins of ths biting harness, by tight check reins, by unnecessary jerking and lugging on the line?, or by a poor driver.' To t:ach the colt to stand tied a strong halter is adjusted, a rope fourteen feet long is doubl.d, the loop is placed under the coil's tail as a crupper, the rope is twisted to gdther three limes, and one end'is allowed to come forward on each side ot the colt. The ends are tied together in front agai.st the chest, just tightly enough so the rope will not drop down. Then a surcingle is run loosely round the colt behind the withers, and into both Bides of this is tied the crupper rope. An additional rope about twelve feet long is run through the halter ring, and tied at the brest to the rope that forms the crupper. The free end of this rope is then tied to a solid post, allowing about three feet of elack. The colt should be left tisd for an hour.

One of the best aids in getting a horse's submission is to tie the halter rope to the tail. This forces the animal to go in a circle.

'"When he gives in arid stands quietly he may be harnessed and handled with safety." To handle the J'ect ot a horse that will cot stand still, Mr Stambaugh suggests th2 use of a bullet twitch. Nothing more than the ordinary halter and tie rope are needed. f'ass the rope over ths horses head just behind the ears; raise the upper lip and tut tbe rope rcross the gurus above the tceih, run the rope through the loop made by passing the rope over the horse's head. The rope Bhould be tight all way. When preparing to break the cJt to harms* and to drive Biogle, trip ropes slioud be u=ed if the animal shows a tendency to run away, kink, or become unmanageable. For gearing a celt with trip ropes a strorg surcinglp, four two inch iron riops, two straps to go round the pasterns and a rope about twenty-five feet long are required. Fasten two two-inch rings to the underside of the surcingle and put straps with rings on the near foot, and up through the oif-sids surcingle ring, down, and tic to the olf fore foot. A pull on the rope when the horse steps will bring him to his knees. Always use knee pads or use the nurse on soft ground, where he will not injure his knees.