243 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM HORSE. 
culturist to select the most proper food for accelerating the growth 
of the young animal, Liebig and others having demonstrated the 
different kinds of food best suited to their wants: by referring 
to the Society’s Journal, a table of the different substances, con¬ 
taining azotised and non-azotised matter, will be found. Another 
object gained by the farmer in feeding the colt during winter is, it 
makes him acquainted with him, and, knowing his wants are sup¬ 
plied by him, renders him gentle and quiet, from which emanates 
attachment. The man who uses the young animal with cruelty or 
severity ought to be discarded: obedience will in most cases fol¬ 
low kindness and gentleness, whilst harsh usage will make the 
animal savage and unruly. The tuition or breaking in of the cart- 
colt commences when he is three years old, and should begin by 
working him moderately on the farm. Put on the harness, and ex¬ 
ercise him with it on a few hours every day; he may then be put 
in between two others in some vehicle: in most cases he will 
quietly submit and follow the example of his companions, and soon 
understand his duty, more especially if the wagoner or carter be 
up to his business. 
Colts are sometimes very obstinate and perverse; yet, notwith¬ 
standing, harsh or severe measures should never be resorted to: 
with soothing and some patience you will rarely fail in conquer¬ 
ing him. Very few colts are by nature vicious; but cruel and 
savage treatment is sure to make a vicious and an untameable 
animal, and lay the foundation for every disobedient habit. The 
unbroken colt should never, at first, be put to a heavy draught: 
whatever he is harnessed to, should follow with ease after him, and 
by gentle inducement inure him to heavier loads; and when he 
finds the resistance is overcome without difficulty, it will make him 
more compliant and willing to receive instruction. The brutal and 
inhuman measures heretofore resorted to in breaking in thorough¬ 
bred and other colts have, I trust, now given way to more lenient 
methods, characterised by humanity. Coercive and every inflict¬ 
ive punishment should be abolished in the education of all animals 
domesticated for the will or wants of man. 
The four-year-old colt, with most farmers, is sufficiently under 
command to perform all the lighter work on the farm, and if his 
labour be managed with judgment, it will benefit him; but, even 
at this age, pulling heavy loads or long journies on the roads ought 
to be avoided: sprains or extensions of the tendons or ligaments, 
or disease of the feet, often ensue from it. When arrived at ma¬ 
turity, and his frame consolidated, all kinds of labour may then be 
used, but not before. Scores of thorough-bred as well as cart-colts 
are annually ruined by being over-weighted or over-worked before 
the organism of the animal is completely matured and consolidated. 
