HORSES AND MULES. 278 



If the colt is to be castrated, it should be done when he ia 

 from four to six months old. "We would repeat here, that the 

 supply of stallions is altogether too small, and urge upon farm- 

 ers the desirableness of preserving entire their best male colts. 

 Castrating, if done early, is a safe operation, and may be done 

 by the farmer himself. Find the orifice through the lining of 

 the belly ; trace it back to the testicle, a distance at this ago of 

 only two or three inches ; bring down the testicle with the two 

 forefingers. The vessels will bleed but little. Apply a little 

 fine salt and turpentine, and the evil effects will be soon re- 

 moved. The longer castration is delayed, the more difficult and 

 dangerous it becomes. 



We have been, in all this chapter, considering the method of 

 breeding good horses. Those who are satisfied with the poor, 

 scrubby, inferior horses so common all over the country, which 

 cost just as much to get, and just as much to keep, as a good 

 horse, will probably continue the old method of breeding, hap- 

 hazard, from broken down, half-starved mares — and when they 

 get a colt, will ruin all his good qualities by neglect and un- 

 kindness. 



Breaking and Training the Colt, on the present system, 

 engenders nearly all the so called vices of the horse. The 

 horse is not by nature vicious. Judicious training of the colt 

 will break up any vices that may have been inherited. Within 

 a week from his birth the training should commence. When 

 you take a mash to the mare, seat yourself, and let her eat out 

 of your dish, at the same time offering some tempting morsel 

 to the colt, take advantage of his acquaintance to handle him a 

 little pat his neck and 'gradually to handle him all over until 

 you can lift his feet, handle his ears, and look in his mouth, 

 without his showing any signs of fear. If you always act and 

 speak kindly he will know no cause for fear. A few moments 



