ON COLTS. 73 



use them to the utmost of his power. The attachment of the horse 

 to his master is well known, and a reciprocity of feeling between the 

 horse and his keeper is frequently very great ; but we are sorry to 

 know he is sometimes most grossly and wantonly abused. 



The horse though, when kindly treated, will manifest great attach* 

 ment and perfect obedience, submitting to severe labors, will some- 

 times exhibit great and provoking obstinacy. This leads to cruelty, 

 and sometimes unmerciful beating. 



From experience and observation, we are fully satisfied that whip- 

 ping only increases the difficulty, and makes him more obstinate. 

 Although it is somewhat difficult to command one's temper when the 

 horse, knowing your wishes, persists in refusing to obey, still I am 

 satisfied that kindness will sooner bring him to obedience, than an 

 opposite course of treatment. 



When in full health and plight, he will be as fond of moving for- 

 ward as you are to have him do so. A little patience is much better 

 than the whip. We once asked a horse dealer how we should man- 

 age a contrary horse ? He replied, " Never let him know but that 

 he behaves just as you want to have him." 



Horses are often made vicious in breaking, as it is called, and in 

 training, svhen young, by bad management. In breaking colts into 

 the harness, they should never know that they can break away. 

 When convenient, the younger you begin with them the better. Ac- 

 custom them gradually to the halter and harness. 



The halter, in the first place,^should be so strong that they cannot 

 break it when made fast to a substantial post. They will seldom try 

 its strength more than once or twice ; and the same with any part 

 of a harness. If they find they can break a halter, it is seldom 

 forgotten, and becomes a very vicious habit. After two years old, 

 they may be placed by the side of a steady horse, and afterwards in 

 a light carriage, followed up every day for some little length of time. 

 In shoeing the first time, be sure you get a good strong smith, that 

 will hold the foot as long as he wishes ; not too long at first, least he 

 should be weary. Horses are not unfrequently very troublesome 

 through life by a fault in first shoeing. 



The signs of a good road horse, and for speed are, a small head, 

 a short back, and flat legs. Something may be known by the coun- 

 tenance, which cannot well be described. A bright full eye, wide 



nostrils, and a projecting wide forehead, may be considered some of 

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