Importance of Early Training 27 



AGE TO BEGIN TRAINING THE FOAL 



As it is much easier to train the young tree, or 

 to mold the clay before it sets, so it is much easier 

 to train the foal while young, as he has fewer ideas 

 of his own and fewer fixed habits. If he is thrifty 

 and strong, the very first day of his life is none 

 too soon to begin training. The earlier in life the 

 training begins the easier the task, and the longer 

 it is postponed the greater are the chances of a 

 hard struggle. We can show, rather than force, 

 him to do that which he does not understand. 

 While it is true, no doubt, that at this early age 

 the animal's power of memorizing is undeveloped, 

 it must be remembered that the horse learns by 

 association of ideas only and beginning at so early 

 an age has many advantages aside from training the 

 memory. 



Perhaps the most important advantage gained 

 by early training is that the youngster becomes ac- 

 quainted with his master at a time when man is the 

 animal's physical superior. This is significant. As 

 has been stated, the horse obeys commands because 

 he feels obliged to do so, and not because he likes to 

 accomplish a task. It is, therefore, of advantage 

 to fix the idea in the foal's mind that he is our mental 

 and physical inferior and must obey. The earlier 

 he comes into possession of this idea the better horse 

 he will make. On the other hand, horses which 



