CHAPTER. XXXVII 

 PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 



The usefulness and value of a horse depend on his 

 tiaining and on his being readily subservient to his mas- 

 ter's will. The horse is man's principal beast of burden, 

 and is constantly associated with him in the perform- 

 ance of his work. This association establishes a close 

 relationship. Since the effectiveness with which the 

 work is performed depends on their mutual understand- 

 ing, it seems well worth while to give the methods of 

 establishing agreeable relationships between horse and 

 master careful consideration. 



In common usage, the term "breaking" is employed to 

 designate the preparation of the horse for his life work. 

 This usage is unfortunate. Only too often the horse is 

 broken in spirit and obeys, or, more accurately, does not 

 resist his master because he is worked down and worn 

 out and does not have the energy to resist. Through- 

 out this book the term "training" is employed to signify 

 the educating of the horse, as it conveys the proper mean- 

 ing, the object being to train the horse so as to increase 

 his efficiency, and not to break that high and superb 

 spirit that makes him the most desired of all farm 

 animals. 



Training the foal. — The foal should be handled and 

 taught a few simple lessons while young. It is so much 

 easier to train the foal at this time, as he has fewer ideas 

 of his own and fewer fixed habits. If the youngster is 

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

 soon to begin the training, as we can show, rather than 

 force him to do that which he does not understand. 



Catching the foal. — The first time the young foal is 

 caught he should be held in such a manner as not to 



37? 



