SCIENTIFIC HORSEBREAKING.

Shannon News, 28 July 1922, Page 2

SCIENTIFIC HORSEBREAKING.

SHEPHERD’S EXPERTS AT MANAKAU. t i i The use of scientific and humane me- i thods in the breaking of horses is a I

field that opens wido possibilities to the expert who proceeds on these lines, and that they can be adopted with success is amply demonstrated by the experience of the well-known firm of Shepherd 's Horsebreakers, whose representatives are at present engaged at Ma-

nakau. Shepherd's Horsebreakers are the only firm, in Australasia which exclusively follows horse-breaking ae a j profession, but its succoss is so pronounced that its reputation extends throughout the Dominion, and the calls for its services have necessitated

branches being established in all the principal farming centres. The fame of the firm is even becoming known in England, and a very complimentary notice in regard to it .appeared in the English publication “Men of the Day." This district is one of the latest places

at which the firm has started business, and at present a dozen or more horses are receiving attention at the hands of the firm's exports. The a€tual horsetaming is being undertaken on Messrs

Drake Bros.' estate in close proximity | to the Manakau beach, and a News representative had an opportunity of visiting it this week and witnessing the interesting work in all its stages. It was explained to the visitor that every horse has a different temperament and each has to be studied and handled accordingly. The main principle employed was to handle the horse gently, to use kindness and inspire confidence, thus discarding the bullying and sometimos brutal mothods which some poople seem to think arc

necessary to adopt with the equine pupil. Shepherd'B claim that thoir system of breaking is a successful combination of the best , points in other methods, the fundamental principles of all of which, with variations and improvements, of course, are based on tlvo revolutionary teachings—in the horse-breaking sense —of Professor Rarey, a recognised authority of world-wide standing. It was no part of the business to bully and fight a horse into submission, but rather to get it to submit of its own volition. The demonstration that follow-

ed showed the successful results of this treatment, and proved boyond doubt that Shepherd’s Horsebreakers are proceeding on the right lines. The breaking yards are quito the reverse of the accepted idea of things, there being an entire, nbsenee of galloping horses and the roping *of wild, plunging outlaws. Modern mothods don't admit of dramatic effects. Instead, out of a buneh of half-a-dozen horses, one unbroken one was run into a small yard which the principal entered with nothing more formidable than a long slender rod in his hand. A

horse was singled out and ho rested the end of the pole on its back whilst it trotted around. Becoming used to the touch, tho pole was passed over different parts of the body. The horse becoming accustomed to the feeling, it was not difficult after a little time to

get it to stand in a corner. Tho pole was left resting on the horse's back, whilst tho attendant, by degrees, ap-

proaclied closo enough to handle it

about, the head. The animal drew back and snorted, but eventually finding that no harm was intended allowed itself to be.’ rubbed, and gaining confidence satisfied its curiosity by Bniffing the attendant. Gentle handling of the head and ne6k allowed a rope to be passed round the neck, and then a headstall was presented for the horse's inspection. This in turn was adjusted and the rope attached without any trouble. The pole was then discarded, and the horse taught to lead, first to the right and left and then ahead. No horse is tied up or allowed to pull on a rope until it has been taught to lead perfectly and quietly, and has been lead daily for a week. When it led quietly the forelegs were handled and a footstrap passed round a fetlock. As this work was proceeding it was necessary to hold the horse's attention all the time. An attachment then connects with the footstrap and the leg is lifted off the ground. A hind leg is lifted in turn with special gear, and this allows the horse to bo handled all over the hind-quarters. Reins and gear are thrown across his back and chains rattled around him so that ho becomes used to the noises. An

assistant mounts him first from one side and then the other and dismounts in half a' dozen ways, and finishes up by

sliding down over the hind quarters. After further attentions, all quietly and

gently done, the lesson is completed for the time being, to be repeated later

with variations in the case of .harness or saddle horses. Other horses which

had only been handled a day,or two j were brought in and put through their paces, asd without exception* they pwv-

ed comparatively qniot and amenable to the wishes of the breakers, and all could be led without trouble. A flighty young spring-carter was given his first lesson in harness, a sledge being used with chains. Patent gear was first-of alb pul on and attached to foTotstraps on the fore fetlocks, so that if the horse plunged Im could be brought to his knees by double-purchase ! pull on the footstraps, this being controlled by the demonstrator.- In this new environment the youngster naturally felt out of his element, and when given his head went away with a rush. Ho had to be brought up twice, but after being handled and confidence instilled into i him, there was no further trouble, and ho pulled the sledge round after that like a veteran. During these early proceedings the horses are being “mouthed'’ with special bits, and every care and attention is given by the application of vaseline to prevent soreness.

The only animal with any pretentions to being an outlaw was a six-year-old thoroughbred mare whieh had had a foal. She was brought in wild a few days before and provided plenty of excitement fOr the first day or so. She was saddled up specially to demonstrate the offcct of the Shepherd treatment, first of nil in the rough-and-ready way that is generally adopted by the amateuj and later under the methods of the expert. Special riding gear was used and hurriedly buckled up tight. A rider then sprang into the saddle and away the mare careered, frantically, but vainly, endeavouring to dislodge her rider. In the afternoon she was subjected to quite different treatment. The gear was put on Blowly without too much pressure, and the mare stood quietly as she was handled all over and mounted. Afterwards the girths were gradually tightened up, and tho mare went away unconcernedly without the semblance of a buck. She even allowed an attendant to pass undorneath hor without moving.

From what could be seen, the whole process of treatment was a great success, and quite impressed tho uninitiated that the horse responds readily to kind and gentle methods as used by the expert breaker. Not only'that, but the work can be done better and in half tho time -of the rough-and-ready amateur, and is altogether a decisive success for scientific methods as used by Shepherd's Horsebrcakers. It is for this reason that the firm's operations are rapidly extending. Last year over 400 horses were broken without the loss of a single animal—-a splendid record of efficiency well deserving of success. ...

As is natural with a business of the kind, a large and varied assortment of gear is in use, and provod quite an interesting exhibition in itself. It was rather a surprise to find that the best leather used was the product of a New Zealand firm, and was quite the superior of the best imported. An interesting day ended with a drive back to Manakau behind a spanking team of the . firm 's’ own horses, which must have broken all previous records for horse travelling in the district.

Shepherd's Horsebrcakers came to district with the intention to stay, but one of the local stock firms, Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., have agreed to become the firm's agents, and will act on their behalf during their temporary absence. Shepherd's Horsebreakcrs arc returning to the district about October for the purpose of speying cows and gelding colts, for. .which they have already received fair entries,