706 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



throw himself, since the rope will hurt him, and cause him to try to get his head out of it, 

 and the more he pulls, the more the hard, cutting rope draws upon the sensitive flesh, the 

 slip-noose tightens and pinches his nose, until, with pain and fright, his struggles to get free 

 often result in serious injury to the animal. Besides this, a horse that has once had such an 

 experience of pulling at the halter will always remember it, and cannot be as well broken as 

 one that has never pulled at all. 



The best method to teach the colt to lead, if he has not previously been accustomed to 

 it in accompanying the dam, is not to go in front and attempt to pull him after you, but to 

 pull him gently to one side, as he will then not be as liable to brace himself and pull back, 

 and thus acquire the habit of pulling. After he has been a step or two one side, let him rest 

 a moment, while you pat him a little, all the time speaking kindly to him; then pull him gen 

 tly by the halter to the other side, always speaking the word &quot;come.&quot; In a short time he 

 will learn to associate the word with the act of starting, and learn what it means. If he 

 resists, be patient yet firm. If the resistance seems to be through fear, handle and pet him 

 until he loses all fear of you before attempting to force him to yield. 



If the resistance appears to be obstinacy, gradually increase the strength upon the halter 

 until he is forced to yield to it. Never jerk or pull suddenly on the halter. After a few 

 moments of rest, this may be repeated, always speaking to him when you want him to go ; by 

 tins means he will learn to start when told. 



Never forget to praise and caress him when he does well, but never punish him at this 

 period. 



After a little patience on the part of the trainer, and perhaps resistance on his part, he 

 will soon suffer himself to be led wherever he is desired to go. The trainer may be amused 

 at the exhibition of temper or vexation on the part of the colt during the trial, but he must 

 never allow himself to be angry. He must simply &quot;hold his own,&quot; never jerk or twitch on 

 the halter, but steadily and firmly enforce obedience. Obedience, pure and simple, without 

 enmity or fright, must be obtained to reach the best results in halter-breaking, and, in fact, 

 in everything pertaining to the training of the colt at any period. By once learning in this 

 manner that man is stronger than he, he will never forget it, and will the more readily yield 

 obedience when he becomes stronger than man. Don t fail to encourage him by praise and 

 gentle pats when he does well; he will learn to love his master for it, and submission will be 

 pleasure. If he shows much temper, it must be remembered that some of the most intelli 

 gent and valuable horses have been naturally high -tempered, but have been subdued and 

 made the valuable animals that they were, through kindness, combined with firmness and 

 persistence. 



&quot;When visited in the stable, frequently carry him something to eat that he likes; an 

 apple, piece of cake, or lump of sugar will go far towards gaining his affection, and making 

 him docile and submissive. The writer has known older horses with vicious habits entirely 

 reclaimed in this way, and who would by this means learn to regard the master s approach 

 as an omen of good to them, and whinny for him on seeing him in&quot; the distance, and when 

 sufficiently near would fumble playfully about his pockets with their lips in endeavors to 

 find the present he had brought. Such a horse, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, will 

 prove an obedient, faithful animal. It is said that the way to an animal s heart, or affec 

 tions, is down his throat. With how much truth may this not be practically applied to many 

 of the human species. Although it is to be regretted, it will quite too frequently be found 

 with mankind, on a severe analysis of motives for professions of friendship and esteem, that 

 e elf-interest lies at the foundation. If it does not form the entire basis, it will too often be 

 found to constitute some little &quot; corner-stone &quot; in that foundation. 



Whatever may be said of this principle respecting mankind, we believe in a generous 

 toleration of it in the management of animals, and particularly horses. The colt should be 



