Show BREAKING AND TRAINING COLTS GOLTS Steps to Be Taken Preliminary to Hitching to Vehicle Vehicle Suggested Suggested Precautions in Early Horse Training Washington D. D C. C The C.-The The erroneous ide idea that cruelty In and training ing is necess necessary ry is practical practical- practically ly Iy a thing of tho past Well VeIl directed direct direct- ed patience has been found to give better results than inconsiderate applications applications applications ap ap- ap- ap of the persuader However However However How How- ever all horses are not to be ba treated alike a strung high-strung sensitive horse I must be handled gently the dullard treated sharply The first thing in training a horse is js to get his attention second make him understand what is wanted says the new Farmers' Farmers Bulletin Bulletin Bull Bull- etin eUn No Breaking and Training Colts by the U U. U S. S Department of or Agriculture The education of the horse continues the bulletin is based on reward and punishment and each should Immediately follow the act The advantage of breaking a horse when he Is young before he has developed developed developed de de- de- de a strong independent instinct is easily seen The panl generally followed followed followed fol fol- fol- fol lowed is to break the colt to being led and handled before it is and to break to harness between the ages of two and three years Colts should not do heavy work until they are four years old and should be accustomed accustomed ac ac- ac to it gradually The following description of a rope harness to be used In teaching the colt to stand is also used in the first lesson on leading A colt tied with this harness harness harness har har- ness cannot easily injure himself in his efforts to get loose A pull on the tha rope as adjusted exerts a pressure almost on the crupper and on the halter Before a colt is broken to being led it should be taught to stand tied this applies to unbroken horses of at all ages To do this put a strong halter on the colt then take a rope about fourteen feet long double it putting the loop under the horses horse's tail tall as a crupper twist the two ends together about three times so the twisted rope lies lieson lieson lieson on the colts colt's back a few inches ahead the tail then let one come forward on each side of the horse and tie them together in front against the chest just tight enough so that it will not drop down then run a loosely around the horse behind the withers tying into it the crupper rope at both sides Have an additional rope about 12 feet long run it through the halter ring and tie it at the breast to the rope th that t form the crupper Tie the theother theother theother other end of the rope to a solid post allowing about three feet of slack Leave the colt tied for an hour Another Another An An- oth other r method is to have a loop in one end of the rope run the lead strap through this loop and tie it with a little slack to the rope that forms the crupper the other end of course being g tied to a solid post While tied the colt should be be- begen gentled gentled gentled gen gen- and d accustomed to being handled on both sides on the hind part and andon andon andon on the legs To do this hold the headstall head head- stall in one hand and with the other hand pet and rub the colt first on the neck and head then on the back and sides and last on the legs To gentle gentle gentle gen gen- tle the hind parts take a stick about four feet long drap a gunny sack around on one end and tie it Allow the colt to examine the stick with his nose then rub it all over his bod body With this arrangement the colts colt's hind leg may be rubbed without placing placing placing ing ones one's self in danger of his heels If he kicks at it do not hit him but allow him fo to examine it again and proceed as before This lesson should continue until the colt will ill stand being being being be be- ing approached from either side and rubbed all over The second day he may be tied up again and further gentled gentled gen gen- with sacks blankets and noises until he has no fear of them around aroundhim aroundhim aroundhim him under him or upon him Another method of gentling a horse is to tie the halter rope to the tail This forces him to go in a circle When he gives in and stands quietly he may maybe maybe maybe be harnessed saddled mounted accustomed accustomed tomed tamed to strange sights and sounds and handled with safety This is one of the best aids in use in gaining a a. a horses horse's submission Breaking to Lead The horse is now ready to lead Loosen the rope lope from the post step off oft from the horse and tell him to come following the command with a pull on the rope As soon as the horse advances pet him then step away and repeat He will soon follow without the pull on the rope The rhe next day the crupper shoulder put on at the beginning of the lesson lesson lesson les- les son but should be discarded after a short work-out work and the halter alone used so that the colt will not depend on the crupper rope These lessons lesson should be continued until the colt leads satisfactorily To break to lead without crupper ropes use a strong halter with a lead rope Step back about six fe feet t from the colt opposite his shoulders cluck to him and pull on the rope The colt will be forced to take a couple of steps reward him cross in front to toa toa toa a similar position on the other side t tand and repeat the command with a pull Continue the lesson until the colt follows Never pull straight ahead on the colt olt he can Use diplomacy di- di c rather than force Breaking the thc Colt to Drive After the colt has been broken to lead he may be accustomed to the harness harness harness har har- ness and trained to rein The horse should never be hitched bitched to a wagon or ridden before he Is broken to drive In the harness He should be trained to answer the ordinary commands In familiarizing the colt with bit and harness the bitting harness which consists of an open bridle with a snaffle snaffle Oe bit check and side reins and sur sur- cingle with crupper may be used This rigging is put on the colt leaving the side and check reins comparatively loose and he is turned loose In a small I paddock for an hour The second les les- son consists of or teaching the colt the feeling of the reins which may be tightened somewhat The third day the tho driving reins may be used and the colt is taught to go ahead Cluck to the colt or tell him to getup use the whip and let him know what is meant Both sides of the colt should be trained as objects viewed from dif dit different different ferent angles may frightened him bad bad- ly iy Driving In a right and left circle will facilitate this training The next lesson consists in teaching the horse to answer the command of whoa get up and back After Arter teaching the horse to go satIsfactory satisfactory satisfactory sat sat- In the bitting rig the work harness with breeching can be substituted sub sub- The traces and breeching should be joined loosely together and gradually tightened as the work progresses progresses pro pro- thus familiarizing the colt with the he sens sensation tion of wearing the collar col col- lar and bre breeching ching He is then ready to be hitched to the wagon or cart single or double Breaking the colt to drive double also to ride dealing with bad habits throwing a horse etc are other features features features fea fea- tures of this bulletin No which may be had upon application to the Department Department De Do- of or Agriculture |