220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



strain instead of the halter, and he unexpectedly finds himself 

 seated upon his rump. 



Thirdly, with otherwise incorrigible horses, the cold l)alh may 

 be tried, by fasteuinf^ the puller to a post upon the bank of a 

 deep river or pond, so that when he pulls it shall go towards 

 the water. As soon as the horse begins a vigorous pull, let go 

 the fastening, and thus precipitate him into the harmless liquid. 



This vice is often a difficult one to cure, as some horses seem 

 to be almost insane with fear at finding themselves fastened, 

 and can never be left with safety, unless so securely tied that 

 they cannot possibly break loose. Still, with judicious treat- 

 ment, almost all can be induced to refrain from the practice. 

 It is, however, much better and easier to halter-break colts so 

 that they will not pull, than to make them relinquish the 

 habit after it has been acquired. 



The sucking colt is usually weaned about four months of age, 

 and will then very gladly receive attentions from his master, 

 lie should be fed from the hand, and may easily be taught a 

 variety of amusing tricks, which will have the two-fold advan- 

 tage of keeping up an interest in the colt and securing better 

 care for him, and of rendering him intelligent, fearless and 

 affectionate. Among the numerous tricks commonly taught to 

 learned ponies, exhibited in circuses, pcrliaps the following are 

 best adapted for general use in the education of colts, namely: 

 to come when called, to lie down, to roll over, to sit up, to 

 sliake hands, to nuike a bow, and to circle, that is to walk, 

 trot or gallop in a circle, and to turn as commanded. 



In teaching a colt to do these tricks, it is best to give him 

 one or two lessons, of half an hour each, every day, and he will 

 pay better attention, and appreciate your gifts of food more, if 

 he have an empty stomach. Early in the morning, before he 

 is fed, is the most favorable time. Begin with simple things, 

 and repeat all the tricks in the same order at each lesson, until 

 they arc familiar. Constantly reiterate the commands in the 

 same form so that he may understand them perfectly, and 

 always emj^loy persuasion instead of force until your pujDil 

 becomes acquainted with his lessons, after which he may be 

 compelled to obey. 



To come ichcn called. — After a colt has been well broken to 

 the halter he maybe taught to follow, or to approach his master 

 when told to do so, in the following manner. 



