218 



be trained or governed, and in exercising all that judgment, prompt- 

 ness, patience, and perseverance, that the case demands. 



My practice in training cattle is as follows : (I say my practice, for 

 all^my horses and cattle are trained by myself,) they aie first put into 

 the stable, tied by the head, and then made acquainted with the fact 

 that they are not to sufier in consequence of my presence ; this is done 

 by kind treatment, feeding, handling, and rubbing them, for which they 

 soon exhibit a fondness ; they are then gently led out by the halter, 

 and accustomed to being driven about the yard — in this elercise a 

 small whip may be used sparingly — this process should be repeated un- 

 til they exhibit submission ; they are then returned to the stable, the 

 yoke put on, and sufi"ered to remain thus for ten or twelve hours ; by 

 this time they will have become reconciled to the treatment; the yoke 

 should then be removed, and rest allowed them. After this they may 

 be yoked at pleasure in the stable, or any convenient yard. The train- 

 i ng is now fairly commenced ; the word of command, and the meaning 

 of every motion is next to be taught them. Every command should 

 be given in a low, emphatic tone, accompanied by the hand or whip ; 

 the motion is learned quickly, and soon after they comprehend the lan- 

 guage. Boisterous hallowing and whipping is folly, unnecessary and 

 cruel, and should not be practiced in the training of any animal. 



Having proceeded thus far, they are ready for field labor in connec- 

 tion with a gentle pair of oxen or horses, which should be able to per- 

 form the labor without any assistance at first, and very soon after they 

 will find themselves very much relieved by their auxiliaries. Nothing 

 further is necessary but practice, in the various kinds of labor to be 

 performed, if the following precautions are strictly observed : 



1st. Never attempt to yoke or unyoke them except in the stable, or 

 some other secure place, until they become perfectly familiar with the 

 operation. 



2d. Never put them at a cbaught without the aid of a good pair of 

 oxen or horses, if it is possible to avoid it. 



3d. Never overtax them in hot weather, nor overload them before 

 they know their strength and how to apply it usefully. 



If the above hints are strictly regarded in the training of cattle, all 

 unpleasant and dangerous tricks, such as hooking, kicking, balking, nm- 

 ning away, &c., may be avoided, all of which is in consequence of bad 

 management on the part of the person who trains them. 



