714 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



Training the 'colt 



The colt should become familiar with man while still young. He 

 should be taught subordination at the very start and not be allowed to 

 become wilful or headstrong. The usefulness of the future horse will 

 depend much on his courage and fearlessness, and it is to promote these 

 that the colt should become familiar with man at as early an age as 

 possible. If taken in time and properly handled he need never know 

 fear. A colt should never be frightened. Too many persons thought- 

 lessly try to make the young colt show off by doing something to startle 

 it, by running at it, throwing sticks, "' shooing " it and the like, which 

 should never be done if a reliable animal is to be developed. Teach the 

 colt useful lessons only. Because colts are bright and very susceptible 

 to training, they are often taught tricks and allowed to become mis- 

 chievous — to bite, rear, kick or anything else that may seem cute. These 

 very things later become a great annoyance and are very hard to over- 

 come. One should not make the mistake of trying to teach the colt too 

 much at a time; he should understand each lesson thoroughly before a 

 second is attempted. On the other hand, colts should be worked con- 

 tinuously day by day and not simply at the convenience of the trainer. 

 The trainer should be gentle and firm at all times and go through with 

 whatever is attempted. 



Training to the halter 



The foal should be taught very early the uses of the halter, first to lead, 

 then to drive. But even before haltering the youngster may be taught to 

 " stand over," to have his foot raised, to back, and the like. In handling 

 the colt be careful about the ears, the back of the fore legs, and the 

 flanks, as these are often very sensitive. Catch the colt by putting one 

 hand under the neck and the other under the hams or around the buttocks. 

 Never catch a colt around the neck only — if this is done the colt will go 

 backwards and perhaps fall — but instead catch him around both ends as 

 described ; then if he attempts to go forward press back with the hand 

 under his neck and if he attempts to go backwards press forward with the 

 hand that is around the buttocks. Colts caught in this way will let one 

 walk up to them, whereas if they are caught around the neck there may be 

 difficulty in catching them. 



When ready to halter the foal, choose a strong, well-fitting halter and 

 not a new one that smells of a lot of things that are new to the colt, but 

 one that has recently been used. Care should be taken not to pull heavily 

 on the nose-band at any time. Occasionally deformed face lines and 



