Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1877 — Training Colts. [ARTICLE]

Training Colts.

The younger the education of any animal commences the easier will its training be, and its habits more certainly fixed. A horse learns the greater part of his good or evil habits before he is three years old; for this reason, he should be well broken before be arrives at that age. At the age of one month, put on a leather or web halter, without the hitching strap and let it remain on, and you can have control over him, when you wish to handle him. To lead or tie him, have a leather strap with a buckle or clasp on one end, to fasten in the halter ring. A rope should never be tied around the neck. After becoming somewhat accustomed to the ha'ter and to being led, etc., tie him beside his dam at feeding time, observing him to prevent him pulling back at the halter. By kind, firm treatment, you can accomplish more than by abuse of any kind to either dam or colt. At the end of six or seten months the colt should be weaned, using care to keep him out ot sight and hearing of the dam for several weeks. Give him plenty of clean hay and a few bruised oats, or chopped carrots, also fresh water daily—increase his feed as he increases in size—strong feed and good shelter will facilitate the forming of bone and muscle upon which his future usefulness depends. A feed of cut straw and chopped stuff several times a week will tend to keep his system cool and prevent the lampas; should they appear, soft feed and an occasional bran raa«h should be given until the lampas disappear. During winter nights, and on stormy days at any season, the colt should have shelter. A loose box or stable, in which he can lie down without tying, is best; a good wide stall, well lighted, drained and ventilated. For tying, the best plan is to have a staple and ring attached to the manger; pass the halter-strap through the ring and tie a small weight, heavy enough to keep the strap always tight. The strap should be long enough for the colt to lie down with his head flat on the floor. The stall should be well littered at night and perfectly clean through the day. The litter Bhould be thrown out of the stable in the morhing, to dry before using at night. A frequent sprinkle of the floor with some good deodorizer will absorb and destroy noxious gases and prevent their injurious effects to the eyes and lungs. By frequently putting on the harness, or saddle and bridle, and letting them remaiu for half an hour, the colt soon becomes accustomed to them. It is better to train him to use without blinders on the bridle, and without check-rain. At the age of three, the colt may to trained to light work for a few hours a day, though it is better to wait a few months longer. The subsequent training depends upon the use the horse is intended for; many colts are spoilt in breaking, that is, they are not half subdued, hence they come up unsafe for the family and should be placed in the army, or some place where they cannot play off their pranks on the unsuspecting farmer or his family.—/. L. Horsey , in Kansas Farmer.