1 1 2 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



especially so for the mares, but which, nevertheless, early accustoms the 

 youDg animals to strange sights, while it renders them tame and confiding. 



n. At Weaning Time. 



The true education of the colt or filly should begin early ; at weaning 

 time. They should then be haltered and taught to lead, to stand quietly 

 in the stall when tied. After this is thoroughly understood the colts may 

 then have their liberty, for there is nothing more healthful, or better 

 calculated to develop those powers necessary to the exhibition of speed, 

 endurance, or great muscular exertion, than constant, every-day exercise, 

 which all young animals naturally take in their play, and this often of 

 the most violent character. 



III. The First Lesson. 



The first lesson the young foal should be taught is to come readily at 

 call. This is easily accomplished by pf'oviding one's self with delicacies, 

 such as sugar and salt, of which horses are especially fond. If there are 

 a number of them they will all take the lessons together, and easier, for 

 the most intelligent will assist the others. At the same time they must 

 be taught to be quiet by a light tap of the whip to unruly ones. 



In haltering, the colt or filly should be approached from the near side, 

 the halter in both hands. Let the colt smell it until it no longer fears it, 

 when, holding it properly in the left hand the right hand may be passed 

 over the colt's neck and taking the strap of the halter it may be drawn 

 on and buckled almost before the colt knows it. In case the colt should 

 be wild, shy, or vicious, it must be confined in some place where the 

 halter may be put on, but no haste must be manifested, until at the 

 moment when it is to be buckled. Then do it quietly and quickly. If 

 very strong, two ends of rope, each ten feet long, should be attached to 

 the ring of the halter, and a free passage out of the stable allowed, one 

 man holding each rope. In the case of a colt three or more years old, 

 and strong, these ends should be twenty feet long, and the halter should 

 have a cavcsson so the muzzle will be pinched during violent struggles. 

 The men holding the ropes — there may be one or more, according to the 

 struggles of the animal — are not to seek to throw the colt or horse, but 

 simply to restrain him in his struggles to escape. The A^ard should be 

 soft so that if the colt falls it will not ))e injured. But if the animal 

 does fall, when down it should be firmly held so for five minutes, or until 

 resistance entirely ceases. As a rule, before the expiration of fifteen 

 minutes, the colt will take a lick of salt from the hand and thereafter 

 follow quietly. As soon as the colt gives up he should be led to the stable, 



