20 THE HORSE : ITS TAMING, 



Catching a colt is the first step that must be taken 

 in the training of a colt. The reader will please know 

 that I use the word colt meaning a filly or colt, and 

 the term horse, for horse or mare. Now the method of 

 catching a colt most in vogue among the farmers of 

 this country is a very rough one, and perhaps it will 

 not be out of place to describe it. The farmer and 

 his men go into the paddock and commence to shout 

 and holloa, and flourish sticks, gradually driving the 

 animal towards the stable yard, just maddening the 

 brute, until it scarcely knows what it is doing, so that 

 in its extreme fear it gallops about furiously, and 

 frequently falls heavily on its side. Then the men 

 congratulate each other, and say that will do it good, 

 etc., etc. After a little more trouble and shouting, the 

 colt is got into a box almost frightened to death, its 

 sides heaving and heart beating, and fit to fight 

 for its very life ; then two or three of the biggest 

 bullies in the crowd go in to the box, generally with 

 another angry shout at the beast, to let it know 

 that they are not afraid. A man approaches, and 

 generally gets hold of its nose, holding it so tightly that 

 he renders it an impossibility for the animal to breathe 

 (for the horse only breathes through its nose), then 

 seizes its ear, and hangs on. The other fellow comes 

 up with the halter, and endeavours to put it on, then 

 the scene becomes hot ; the animal fights for its life, 

 and commences to strike out, and kick, and plunge, 



