498 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



tematic mode is to be found in general practice anywhere. 

 Yet, there is much less to be said concerning the defects 

 of the multiform and diverse modes existing in the United 

 States tBan of the almost entire neglect of all modes. So 

 many hundreds have we seen in our time who gave the sub- 

 ject no attention whatever, and, when spoken to in regard 

 to the advantages of a SA'stematic course of training for 

 young colts, would reply, with all the self-satisfaction char- 

 acteristic of ingrained stupidity, "Well, the old plan is good 

 enough for me ; it is the way I used to see it done when I 

 was a boy, and suits me very well." 



So far as the general management of the horse is con- 

 cerned, there has been but little improvement in many parts 

 of the land within the memory of even that fabulous indi- 

 vidual, " the oldest inhabitant." In some sections, it is true, 

 enterprising men have taken hold of the matter and pushed 

 forward the good work, greatly to their own advantage and 

 that, also, of the communities among whom they reside. 

 But, as exceedingly few, or perhaps none, of these gentlemen 

 have ever enlightened the general public, to any great ex- 

 tent, through the medium of the press, the benefits of their 

 improved methods have been restricted to quite circumscribed 

 territorial limits. 



There (fan be no doubt that the loss to the total wealth 

 of the country resulting from the inferior training of our 

 horses would reach a startling aggregate, if it could only be 

 put into figures. We have few thoroughly-trained horses 

 for either the harness or saddle. The great fault lies in neg- 

 lecting to begin the work at the proper time. The colt 

 may be educated as well as the child — not to the same ex- 

 tent, of course, but with an equal degree of certainty. In 

 the main, the rules which govern in one case are applicable 

 in the other, also. As more than one wise man has said that 

 childhood is the most favorable time for education, and that 

 it is never too early to begin, so the wisest of veterinarians 

 will agree that the best time to commence training the horse 

 is before he has outgrown the condition of 



