770 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



gentle words or a few pats encourage him forward. Never use the whip under such circum 

 stances. Never get into a quarrel with him. The best way to avoid this is to be patient, 

 gentle, and firm, giving him time to understand what is wanted, and to make up his mind to 

 do it. A horse is naturally spirited, sensitive, and timid, and although a very intelligent 

 animal, yet he must have time to fully comprehend what is wanted before he can perform 

 what is required of him. Everything is strange and new to him, and a little haste might 

 confuse or frighten him, especially if he be of a nervous temperament, to the extent that he 

 might be wholly unable to understand what was for the time wanted. 



Teach him to stand quietly while you are getting into the vehicle, and until you tell him 

 to go. This may be soon accomplished by getting in and sitting a while before starting, 

 always speaking the word when you wish him to start, and never under any circumstances 

 allowing him to start of his own accord. The habit acquired by some horses of starting 

 before the driver is half in the carriage, is a pernicious one, and is more the fault of the 

 trainer in permitting it, than of the colt. 



A colt should never have his temper spoiled by being teased or annoyed in any way. 

 More horses are made vicious in this way than in any other. He should never be over-exer 

 cised, or discouraged by loads that are too heavy for him to draw. Let it be remembered 

 that whatever is done should be done quietly and in a gradual way, no hurrying, no bustle or 

 confusion. Always be true to your teachings to your colt; never contradict yourself, teaching 

 him one thing this week, and the opposite the next. He will remember this if you do; it will 

 confuse him, and be as likely to make him do wrong as right. His lesson must be made as 

 plain for him, as for you. Never put blinders on him while being broken, or at any other 

 time. 



We know of an owner and trainer of several colts who, when he goes into the pasture 

 among them, will have them all about him, as gentle as pet kittens, rubbing their noses 

 against him, and each seeming to be jealous of the attentions he bestows upon the others; 

 who run to meet him when they see him coming, and who whinny after him when he leaves 

 them. His method is simply to begin gentling the colts from birth by frequently handling 

 them, and by kindness, gentleness, yet firmness, never deceiving them, and always encourag 

 ing and rewarding their obedience. Disobedience he rarely punishes with the whip, but gen 

 erally by abstaining from the little attentions and tit-bits that are given as rewards at other 

 times. 



These are the best means of subduing a colt and making him obedient without crushing 

 his spirit. Such training makes much of the difference between a worthless and valuable 

 horse, for it must be remembered that the qualities that make an animal vicious and ungovern 

 able will, under judicious treatment, make a spirited yet obedient horse, one possessing great 

 intelligence and appreciative of praise or rebuke. If it is thought that the directions given 

 require too much time and labor, let it be borne in mind that the horse is a very valuable 

 animal, and that the labor bestowed upon him at this period greatly increases his value by 

 making him more serviceable, readily managed, safe, and reliable, and when once well broken 

 the lesson learned will be for a lifetime, never to be forgotten. 



Teaching a Colt to Back. This may be done by standing in front of him and 

 taking hold of the reins with either hand, give a slight pressure upon the bit, at the same 

 time speaking the word &quot;back.&quot; 



He will thus be made to step backward a little, and by a few repetitions, always speaking 

 the word, as at first, he will soon learn to associate the movement with it. This is an 

 unpleasant and awkward lesson for him to learn, as it is not natural for any animal to walk 

 backward, and time should be taken, in order not to try his temper and make him obstinate. 

 A few trials each day, for a few days, will generally accomplish it in the most satisfactory 

 manner, and with a slight drawing upon the reins while standing back of him. &quot;When he 



