Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1870 — Treatment of Colts. [ARTICLE]

Treatment of Colts.

We are in constant danger of harming our horses in our colts. A colt is tender ; it is not yet grown, but growing, and its bones are not in that solid, strong condition which we find in a mature horse. Hence there is a chance of bending or permanent malformation. Hard labor, before maturity, is one of these causes, and a prolific one; horses will be bent, crippled; their bones are not in their proper, natural shape. The ligaments in consequence are also out of place; and sometimes by hard straining are so far dis torted or prevented from firmly holding the bone, that there will be a permanent loss in the capacity of the animal. Muscles are overstrained, and will become indurated, stiffened, and they will never acquire the use they would have had had the proper treatment been given. We thus hurt our colts, because they are tender ; we form them, but we malformthem. A colt should not be worked hard until it is five years of age. The bones are then hard, and the ligaments in their place and firm. But there should be some exercise, This will strengthen and enlarge the muscles; in a word, develop the animal. Kind handling and moderate exercise from birth up to maturity, with discrimination in treatment, make your horse, and make him a good one, ii he is not hereditarily dwarfed and vicious, Abuse and hap hazard treatment will lessen what good qualities he may have inherited.

Over-feeding with any kind of food, particularly with grain, is one oi the worst evils that can befall a colt. What he wants is growth, not fat, not mettle, artificially infused or awakened. Thi3 is a premature call on the future strength, lessening the capacity for that strength. Good, tender hay and grass are the feed, winter and summer, for a colt, varied a little if desired, but not with grain. A little corn or barley may be given where the hay is poor, over-ripened or ill-cured. Thus a colt should grow, reserving its strength—and grow into tractability as well, the whole thing beiDg carried on, growth and tuition, till at the proper age you have a horse in limb and in training. You then stand a chance to have a sound horse—a well-developed, kind and tractable one that you can rely upon. And this treatment (kindness ana care) is to be continued. At six and seven, and thence for many years, your horse will be a serviceable animal, an instrument trained to order; and you are the one that should drive him and keep him; no one will get the good out of him that you will And his will last half as long as you will, beginning your career at manhood. But never over feed, never over-do, never abuse because you may be passionate, never over-heat, nor expose to the cold after heating.? and keep out of the cold rains. Treat well, but do not pamper; treat as a horse, with strength yet kindness.

As we have said, the food should be simple—good, clean hay, not over ripe—not ripe at all, save now and then a little given for a change. This with oats and occasional bran mashes, with a little cropping of grass in summer, is all your horse needs, is the best you can give him. Then treat well; use the currycomb and blanket when sweaty, and pat in thq stable: hare a soft bed for his feet, and for his body to lie on. Then you will have what you will be proud of; what you will have an affection for—what you have had all along, or you would net have succeeded as you did in bringing up and maturing such a good horse, and one that is a member of the family at the barn, where your thoughts often sre—where you will often go to visit what ia a reliance on the farm, ami such a good, fitauncli, kind, contimi ous one. if the food is simple, the treatment should be the same; this will avoid confusion. Never contradict yourself to your horse; use decision at all times; let him

know that you are matter, but a kind matter, who will not hurt him if he la obeyed, and he will obey—he will be glad to obey. And thui he should grow Into this treatment and up with It, making it aa it were, second nature to him. He will then never forget it; Indeed, It will be dlffloult to break him of it We tee this In the few instances of thorough culture In the Arabian horse in his own native land, where he is taught and handled constantly from his youth up. He will then know no other way but to be tractable. You can thus treat your horse aa you want him—adapt him to your purposes If you arc Intelligent withal, and accustomed to horse flesh, the way will be easy; you will get a serviceable animal, not only for yourself but for any one—a horse that will sell at any time and command a full pile c.—Country Gentleman.