Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1875 — Training Steers. [ARTICLE]

Training Steers.

A correspondent of the Maine Farmer has the following on training steers: A neighbor recently remarked to me: “ You have a faculty of charming steers.” I replied that it was a mistake. I simply study their nature and adapt myself to that nature. In approaching them (whether they are in yoke or not), though I may “ come with a rod,” yet I always come with love. If lamin a hurry and a steer is in my path, I never give him a kick, or a thrust, with a yell, “ Get out of my way,” but instead I allow him the path, while I pass quietly by, gently rubbing him with the hand as I pass. The pressure of the hand on the animal has a powerful influence in training him,'-and I had rather engage to bring two yoke of steers to a stage of good working discipline than tame one pair that had been taught to fear the presence of man. I think of several illustrations, one that others may “go and do likewise.” Yesterday I was cqrting with a pair of steers that were impatient about starting. Whenever they started too soon I would back them to the very spot from which they started, and rub their heads, or pick off loose hair from their bodies, and in one half hour the change in their general appearance was surprising. In handling them I always endeavor to persuade them that even the goad cannot harm them. When I yoke them, which I do at all ages after the first ten months (though I consider from one and one-half to two and one-lialf years the best age for their discipline), I usually place them before a yoke of welltrained oxen or steers, large enough to anchor you safely. At first attach a line to the horns of the off steer, making it fast to the bow of the near one, thereby preventing him from turning his head too far to the right. This is not usually necessary after once yoking. I also hold another line in my hand, attached to the horns of the near one, or, if he is too hard to'manage, I put a snap in his nose. Of course they are frightened at first, but after a few minutes they will walk off quietly. I travel beside my rear cattle, using appropriate language, speaking just what I mean and no more, at the same time showing, by means of goad and line, the meaning of my words. In ordinary cases I can remove my line from the near one after one hour, calling to them without it. After handling them on the lead one day, I can use them on a drag or a light log and next the cart. As I always approach them quietly, they have no inclination to retreat from my presence, though they may sometimes try to run, as it is natural for all growing animals to do so. The “ Golden Rule” does not come amiss, even in training steers, and I will treat them as I think I would desire to be treated were I in their condition. As soon as they can be termed handy I give the near one an occasional lesson in the yard without the yoke, teaching him the elementary tactics in “single file.” I then change their places under the yoke, putting the off one on the near side, and after he becomes handy there I teach him the tactics singly also; after which, as both are disciplined to work on either side, I can place them together without any yoke or other attachment and move them to and from the pasture and where else I please. I never whip them except in rare cases of stubborness (which are nearly as scarce as hens’ teeth), and then not severely, but calmly and kindly, without exciting feaf4n the animals; and the moment he yields, 'treat him with the greatest possible kindqgls. I always give

each-steer a distinct name, naming them after the Yankee custom, allowing the color-spots, lines, horns, etc., to guide me in this matter,, and I always call him by that name.