Begin Training Early 43 



or ninety minutes in all, during which time the 

 youngster has been taught to lead, to drive, to stop 

 at the command ''whoa," to start at the command 

 ''get up" and to back on command. While he is 

 not yet three weeks of age yet he will obey com- 

 mands better than the average horse will ever obey 

 them. The value of training begun thus early cannot 

 be overestimated. It fixes the idea of subordination 

 in the horse's mind at a time in life when no subse- 

 quent treatment can shake it, and even though the 

 time consumed in such training is quite insignificant, 

 it adds as nothing else can to the future usefulness 

 of the animal. 



There are two objections to training the colt while 

 young. First, want of time on the part of the owner, 

 and second, being trained, the youngster is likely to 

 be driven or put to hard work before he is properly 

 developed. For these reasons the colt is usually 

 permitted to enjoy his independence until such time 

 as he is needed for work, with the result that his 

 general usefulness in many cases is much impaired. 

 A horse should be reasonably mature before he is 

 called upon to do service, but any time spent in his 

 education prior to the date at which he goes to work 

 will be repaid many times in the more satisfactory 

 service that he will render. 



