Taming and Training Wild Horses

7/31/2019 Taming and Training Wild Horses

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THEARABIANART

OF

TAMINGANDTRAINING

WILD&VICIOUSHORSES.

BY

T.GILBERT,BRO.RAMSEY&CO.

PRINTEDANDSOLDFORTHEPUBLISHERBYHENRYWATKINSPRINTER,225&227WESTFIFTHSTREET,CINCINNATI,OHIO1856.

INTRODUCTION.

Thefirstdomesticationofthehorse,oneofthegreatestachievementsofmanintheanimalkingdom,wasnottheworkofaday;butlikeallothergreataccomplishments,wasbroughtaboutbyagradualprocessofdiscoveriesandexperiments.Hefirstsubduedthemoresubordinateanimals,onaccountoftheirbeingeasilycaughtandtamed,andusedformanyyearsthemeredrudges,theox,theass,an

dthecamel,insteadofthefleetandeleganthorse.Thisnobleanimalwasthelastbroughtintosubjection,owing,perhaps,toman'slimitedandinaccurateknowledgeofhisnature,andhisconsequentinabilitytocontrolhim.Thisfactaloneissufficientevidenceofhissuperiorityoverallotheranimals.

Man,inallhisinventionsanddiscoveries,hasalmostinvariablycommencedwithsomesimpleprinciple,andgraduallydevelopeditfromonedegreeofperfectiontoanother.ThefirsthintthatwehaveoftheuseofelectricitywasFranklin'sdrawingitfromthecloudswithhiskite.Nowitistheinstrumentofconveyingthoughtfrommindtomind,witharapiditythatsurpassestime.Thegreatpropellingpowerthatdrivesthewheeloftheengineoverourland,andploughstheoceanwithoursteamers,wasfirstdiscoveredescapingfromatea-kettle.Andsothepowersofthehorse,secondonlytothepowersofsteam,becameknowntoma

nonlyasexperiments,andinvestigationrevealedthem.

Thehorse,accordingtothebestaccountswecangather,hasbeentheconstantservantofmanfornearlyfourthousandyears,everrewardinghimwithhislaborandaddingtohiscomfortinproportiontohisskillandmannerofusinghim;butbeingtothosewhogovernhimbybruteforce,andknownothingofthebeautyanddelighttobegainedfromthecultivationofhisfinernature,afretful,vicious,andoftendangerousservant;whilsttotheArabs,whosehorseistheprideofhislife,andwhogovernshimbythelawofkindness,wefindhimtobequiteadifferentanimal.Themannerinwhichheistreatedfromafoalgiveshimanaffectionandattachmentforhismasternotknowninanyothercountry.TheArabandhischildren,themareandherfoal,inhabitthetenttogether;andalthoughthefoalandthemare'sneckareoftenpillowsforthechildrentorollupon,

noaccidenteveroccurs,themarebeingascarefulofthechildrenasofthecolt.Suchisthemutualattachmentbetweenthehorseandhismaster,thathewillleavehiscompanionsathismaster'scall,evergladtoobeyhisvoice.AndwhentheArabfallsfromhishorse,andisunabletoriseagain,hewillstandbyhimandneighforassistance;andifhelaysdowntosleep,asfatiguesometimescompelshimtodointhemidstofthedesert,hisfaithfulsteedwillwatchoverhim,andneightoarousehimifmanorbeastapproaches.TheArabsfrequentlyteachtheirhorsessecretsignsorsignals,whichtheymakeuseofonurgentoccasionstocallforththeirutmostexertions.Thesearemoreefficientthanthebarbarousmodeofurgingthemonwiththespurandwhip,aforcibleillustrationo


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fwhichwillbefoundinthefollowinganecdote.

ABedouin,namedJabal,possessedamareofgreatcelebrity.HassadPacha,thenGovernorofDamascus,wishedtobuytheanimal,andrepeatedlymadetheownerthemostliberaloffers,whichJabalsteadilyrefused.ThePachathenhadrecoursetothreats,butwithnobettersuccess.Atlength,oneGafar,aBedouinofanothertribe,presentedhimselftothePacha,andaskedwhathewouldgivethemanwhoshouldmakehimmasterofJabal'smare?"Iwillfillhishorse'snose-bagwithgold,"repliedHassad.Theresultofthisinterviewhavinggoneabroad;Jabalbecamemorewatchfulthanever,andalwayssecuredhismareatnightwithanironchain,oneendofwhichwasfastenedtoherhindfetlock,whilsttheother,afterpassingthroughthetentcloth,wasattachedtoapicketdriveninthegroundunderthefeltthatservedhimselfandwifeforabed.Butonemidnight,Gafarcreptsilentlyintothetent,andsucceededinlooseningthechain.Justbeforestartingoffwithhisprize,hecaughtupJabal'slance,andpokinghimwiththebuttend,criedout:"IamGafar!Ihavestolenyournoblemare,andwillgiveyounoticeintime."ThiswarningwasinaccordancewiththecustomsoftheDesert;fortorobahostiletribeisconsideredanhonorableexploit,andthemanwhoaccomplishesitisdesirousofalltheglorythatmayflowfromthedeed.PoorJabal,whenheheardthewords,rushedoutofthetentandgavethealarm,thenmountinghisbrother'smare,accompaniedbysomeofhistribe,hepursuedtherobberforfourhours.Thebrother'smarewasofthesamestockasJabal'sbutwasnotequaltoher;nevertheless,heoutstrippedthoseofalltheotherpursuers,andwasevenonthepointofovertakingtherobber,whenJabalshoutedtoh

im:"Pinchherrightearandgiveheratouchoftheheel."Gafardidso,andawaywentthemarelikelightning,speedilyrenderingfurtherpursuithopeless.ThepinchintheearandthetouchwiththeheelwerethesecretsignsbywhichJabalhadbeenusedtourgehismaretoherutmostspeed.Jabal'scompanionswereamazedandindignantathisstrangeconduct."Othoufatherofajackass!"theycried,"thouhasthelpedthethieftorobtheeofthyjewel."Buthesilencedtheirupbraidingsbysaying:"Iwouldratherloseherthansullyherreputation.Wouldyouhavemesufferittobesaidamongthetribesthatanothermarehadprovedfleeterthanmine?Ihaveatleastthiscomfortleftme,thatIcansayshenevermetwithhermatch."

Differentcountrieshavetheirdifferentmodesofhorsemanship,butamongstallofthemitsfirstpracticewascarriedoninbutarudeandindifferentway,bei

nghardlyasteppingstonetothecomfortanddelightgainedfromtheuseofthehorseatthepresentday.ThepolishedGreeksaswellastherudernationsofNorthernAfrica,foralongwhilerodewithouteithersaddleorbridle,guidingtheirhorses,withthevoiceorthehand,orwithalightswitchwithwhichtheytouchedtheanimalonthesideofthefacetomakehimturnintheoppositedirection.Theyurgedhimforwardbyatouchoftheheel,andstoppedhimbycatchinghimbythemuzzle.Bridlesandbitswereatlengthintroduced,butmanycenturieselapsedbeforeanythingthatcouldbecalledasaddlewasused.Insteadofthese,cloths,singleorpadded,andskinsofwildbeasts,oftenrichlyadorned,wereplacedbeneaththerider,butalwayswithoutstirrups;anditisgivenasanextraordinaryfact,thattheRomanseveninthetimeswhenluxurywascarriedtoexcessamongstthem,neverdesiredsosimpleanexpedientforassistingthehorsemantomount,tolessenhisfatigueandaidhiminsittingmoresecurelyin

hissaddle.Ancientsculptorsprovethatthehorsemenofalmosteverycountrywereaccustomedtomounttheirhorsesfromtherightsideoftheanimal,thattheymightthebettergraspthemane,whichhangsonthatside,apracticeuniversallychangedinmoderntimes.Theancientsgenerallyleapedontheirhorse'sbacks,thoughtheysometimescarriedaspear,withalooporprojectionabouttwofeetfromthebottomwhichservedthemasastep.InGreeceandRome,thelocalmagistracywereboundtoseethatblocksformounting(whattheScotchcallloupin-on-stanes)wereplacedalongtheroadatconvenientdistances.Thegreat,however,thoughtitmoredignifiedtomounttheirhorsesbysteppingonthebentbacksoftheirservantsorslaves,andmanywhocouldnotcommandsuchcostlyhelpus


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edtocarryalightladderaboutwiththem.ThefirstdistinctnoticethatwehaveoftheuseofthesaddleoccursintheedictoftheEmperorTheodosias,(A.D.385)fromwhichwealsolearnthatitwasusualforthosewhohiredpost-horses,toprovidetheirownsaddle,andthatthesaddleshouldnotweighmorethansixtypounds,acumbrouscontrivance,morelikethehowdahsplacedonthebacksofelephantsthanthelightandelegantsaddleofmoderntimes.Side-saddlesforladiesareaninventionofcomparativelyrecentdate.ThefirstseeninEnglandwasmadeforAnneofBohemia,wifeofRichardtheSecond,andwasprobablymorelikeapillionthantheside-saddleofthepresentday.Apillionisasortofaverylow-backedarm-chair,andwasfastenedonthehorse'scroup,behindthesaddle,onwhichamanrodewhohadallthecareofmanagingthehorse,whiletheladysatatherease,supportingherselfbygraspingabeltwhichhewore,orpassingherarmaroundhisbody,ifthegentlemanwasnottooticklish.ButtheMexicansmanagethesethingswithmoregallantrythantheancientsdid.The"pisanna,"orcountrylady,wearetoldisoftenseenmountedbeforeher"cavalera,"whotakethemorenaturalpositionofbeingseatedbehindhisfairone,supportingherbythrowinghisarmaroundherwaist,(averyappropriatesupportifthebentpositionofthearmdoesnotcauseanoccasionalcontractionofthemuscles.)Thesetwopositionsmayjustlybeconsideredasthefirststepstakenbytheladiestowardstheirimprovedandelegantmodeofridingatthepresentday.

Atanearlyperiodwhenthediversionofhawkingwasprevalent,theydressedthemselvesinthecostumeoftheknight,androdeastride.Horseswereingeneraluseformanycenturiesbeforeanythinglikeaprotectionforthehoofwasthought

of,anditwasintroduced,atfirst,asamatterofcourse,onaverysimplescale.Thefirstfootdefense,itissaid,whichwasgiventothehorse,wasonthesameprincipleasthatwornbyman,whichwasasortofsandal,madeofleatherandtiedtothehorse'sfoot,bymeansofstrapsorstrings.Andfinallyplatesofmetalwerefastenedtothehorse'sfeetbythesamesimplemeans.

Hereagain,asinthecaseofthesturruplesssaddle,whenwereflectthatmenshould,fornearlyathousandyears,havegoneonfasteningplatesofmetalunderhorses'hoofsbytheclumsymeansofstrapsandstrings,withoutitseveroccurringtothemtotrysosimpleanimprovementasnails,wehaveanotherremarkabledemonstrationoftheslowstepsbywhichhorsemanshiphasreacheditspresentstate.

IntheforgoingremarksIhavetakenthelibertyofextractingseveralfactsfromavaluablelittleworkbyRollaSpringfield.Withthisshortcommentontheriseandprogressofhorsemanship,fromitscommencementuptothepresenttime,Iwillproceedtogiveyoutheprinciplesofanewtheoryoftamingwildhorses,whichistheresultofmanyexperimentsandathoroughinvestigationandtrialofthedifferentmethodsofhorsemanshipnowinuse.

THETHREEFUNDAMENTALPRINCIPLESOFMYTHEORY

FoundedontheLeadingCharacteristicsoftheHorse.

FIRST.Thatheissoconstitutedbynaturethathewillnotofferresistancetoanydemandmadeofhimwhichhefullycomprehends,ifmadeinawayconsistentwit

hthelawsofhisnature.

SECOND.Thathehasnoconsciousnessofhisstrengthbeyondhisexperience,andcanbehandledaccordingtoourwill,withoutforce.

THIRD.Thatwecan,incompliancewiththelawsofhisnaturebywhichheexaminesallthingsnewtohim,takeanyobject,howeverfrightful,around,overoronhim,thatdoesnotinflictpain,withoutcausinghimtofear.

Totaketheseassertionsinorder,Iwillfirstgiveyousomeofthereasonswhy


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Ithinkheisnaturallyobedient,andwillnotofferresistancetoanythingfullycomprehended.Thehorse,thoughpossessedofsomefacultiessuperiortoman'sbeingdeficientinreasoningpowers,hasnoknowledgeofrightorwrong,offreewillandindependentgovernment,andknowsnotofanyimpositionpracticeduponhim,howeverunreasonabletheseimpositionsmaybe.Consequently,hecannotcometoanydecisionwhatheshouldorshouldnotdo,becausehehasnotthereasoningfacultiesofmantoarguethejusticeofthethingdemandedofhim.Ifhehad,takingintoconsiderationhissuperiorstrength,hewouldbeuselesstomanasaservant.Givehimmindinproportiontohisstrength,andhewilldemandofusthegreenfieldsforaninheritance,wherehewillroamatleisure,denyingtherightofservitudeatall.Godhaswiselyformedhisnaturesothatitcanbeoperateduponbytheknowledgeofmanaccordingtothedictatesofhiswill,andhemightwellbetermedanunconscious,submissiveservant.Thistruthwecanseeverifiedineveryday'sexperiencebytheabusespracticeduponhim.Anyonewhochoosestobesocruel,canmountthenoblesteedandrunhim'tillhedropswithfatigue,or,asisoftenthecasewithmorespirited,falldeadwiththerider.Ifhehadthepowertoreason,wouldhenotvaultandpitchhisrider,ratherthansufferhimtorunhimtodeath?Orwouldhecondescendtocarryatallthevainimposter,who,withbutequalintellect,wastryingtoimposeonhisequalrightsandequallyindependentspirit?Buthappilyforus,hehasnoconsciousnessofimposition,nothoughtofdisobedienceexceptbyimpulsecausedbytheviolationofthelawofnature.Consequentlywhendisobedientitisthefaultofman.

Then,wecanbutcometotheconclusion,thatifahorseisnottakeninawayatvariancewiththelawofhisnature,hewilldoanythingthathefullycomprehendswithoutmakinganyofferofresistance.

Second.Thefactofthehorsebeingunconsciousoftheamountofhisstrength,canbeproventothesatisfactionofanyone.Forinstance,suchremarksasthesearecommon,andperhapsfamiliartoyourrecollection.Onepersonsaystoanother,"Ifthatwildhorsetherewasconsciousoftheamountofhisstrength,hisownercouldhavenobusinesswithhiminthatvehicle;suchlightreinsandharness,too;ifheknewhecouldsnapthemasunderinaminuteandbeasfreeastheairwebreathe;"and,"thathorseyonderthatispawingandfrettingtofollowthecompanythatisfastleavinghim,ifheknewhisstrengthhewouldnotremainlongfastenedtothathitchingpostsomuchagainsthiswill,byastrapthat

wouldnomoreresisthispowerfulweightandstrength,thanacottonthreadwouldbindastrongman."Yetthesefactsmadecommonbyeverydayoccurrence,arenotthoughtofasanythingwonderful.Liketheignorantmanwholooksatthedifferentphasesofthemoon,youlookatthesethingsashelooksatherdifferentchanges,withouttroublingyourmindwiththequestion,"Whyarethesethingsso?"Whatwouldbetheconditionoftheworldifallourmindslaydormant?Ifmendidnotthink,reasonandact,ourundisturbed,slumberingintellectswouldnotexceltheimbecilityofthebrute;wewouldliveinchaos,hardlyawareofourexistence.Andyetwithallouractivityofmind,wedailypassbyunobservedthatwhichwouldbewonderfulifphilosophisedandreasonedupon,andwiththesameinconsistencywonderatthatwhichalittleconsideration,reasonandphilosophywouldbebutasimpleaffair.

Thirdly.Hewillallowanyobject,howeverfrightfulinappearance,tocomearound,overoronhim,thatdoesnotinflictpain.

Weknowfromanaturalcourseofreasoning,thattherehasneverbeenaneffectedwithoutacause,andweinferfromthis,thattherecanbenoaction,eitherinanimateorinanimatematter,withouttherefirstbeingsomecausetoproduceit.Andfromthisself-evidentfactweknowthatthereissomecauseforeveryimpulseormovementofeithermindormatter,andthatthislawgovernseveryactionormovementoftheanimalkingdom.Then,accordingtothistheory,theremustbesomecausebeforefearcanexist;and,iffearexistsfromtheeffectofima


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gination,andnotfromtheinflictionofrealpain,itcanberemovedbycomplyingwiththoselawsofnaturebywhichthehorseexaminesanobject,anddeterminesuponitsinnocenceorharm.

Alogorstumpbytheroad-sidemaybe,intheimaginationofthehorse,somegreatbeastabouttopounceuponhim;butafteryoutakehimuptoitandlethimstandbyitalittlewhile,andtouchitwithhisnose,andgothroughhisprocessofexamination,hewillnotcareanythingmoreaboutit.Andthesameprincipleandprocesswillhavethesameeffectwithanyotherobject,howeverfrightfulinappearance,inwhichthereisnoharm.Takeaboythathasbeenfrightenedbyafalse-faceoranyotherobjectthathecouldnotcomprehendatonce;butlethimtakethatfaceorobjectinhishandsandexamineit,andhewillnotcareanythingmoreaboutit.Thisisademonstrationofthesameprinciple.

Withthisintroductiontotheprinciplesofmytheory,Ishallnextattempttoteachyouhowtoputitintopractice,andwhateverinstructionsmayfollow,youcanrelyonashavingbeenprovenpracticalbymyownexperiments.AndknowingfromexperiencejustwhatobstaclesIhavemetwithinhandlingbadhorses,Ishalltrytoanticipatethemforyou,andassistyouinsurmountingthem,bycommencingwiththefirststepstakenwiththecolt,andaccompanyingyouthroughthewholetaskofbreaking.

HowtoSucceedinGettingtheColtfromPasture.

Gotothepastureandwalkaroundthewholeherdquietly,andatsuchadistanceasnottocausethemtoscareandrun.Thenapproachthemveryslowly,andiftheystickuptheirheadsandseemtobefrightened,holdonuntiltheybecomequiet,soasnottomakethemrunbeforeyouarecloseenoughtodrivetheminthedirectionyouwanttogo.Andwhenyoubegintodrive,donotflourishyourarmsorhollow,butgentlyfollowthemoffleavingthedirectionfreeforthemthatyouwishthemtotake.Thustakingadvantageoftheirignorance,youwillbeabletogettheminthepoundaseasilyasthehunterdrivesthequailsintohisnet.For,iftheyhavealwaysrunintothepastureuncaredfor,(asmanyhorsesdoinprairiecountriesandonlargeplantations,)thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldnotbeaswildasthesportsman'sbirdsandrequirethesamegentletreatment,ifyouwanttogetthemwithouttrouble;forthehorseinhisnaturalstateisaswildasanyoftheundomesticatedanimals,thoughmoreeasilytamedthanm

ostofthem.

HowtoStableaColtwithoutTrouble.

Thenextstepwillbe,togetthehorseintoastableorshed.Thisshouldbedoneasquietlyaspossible,soasnottoexciteanysuspicioninthehorseofanydangerbefallinghim.Thebestwaytodothis,istoleadagentlehorseintothestablefirstandhitchhim,thenquietlywalkaroundthecoltandlethimgoinofhisownaccord.Itisalmostimpossibletogetmen,whohaveneverpracticedonthisprinciple,togoslowandconsiderateenoughaboutit.Theydonotknowthatinhandlingawildhorse,aboveallotherthings,isthatgoodoldadagetrue,that"hastemakeswaste;"thatis,wasteoftime,forthegainoftroubleandperplexity.

Onewrongmovemayfrightenyourhorse,andmakehimthinkitisnecessarytoescapeatallhazardsforthesafetyofhislife,andthusmaketwohoursworkofatenminutesjob;andthiswouldbeallyourownfault,andentirelyunnecessary;forhewillnotrununlessyourunafterhim,andthatwouldnotbegoodpolicy,unlessyouknewthatyoucouldoutrunhim;oryouwillhavetolethimstopofhisownaccordafterall.Buthewillnottrytobreakaway,unlessyouattempttoforcehimintomeasures.Ifhedoesnotseethewayatonce,andisalittlefretfulaboutgoingin,donotundertaketodrivehim,butgivehimalittlelessroomoutside,bygentlyclosinginaroundhim.Donotraiseyourarms,but


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letthemhangatyourside;foryoumightaswellraiseaclub.Thehorsehasneverstudiedanatomy,anddoesnotknowbuttheywillunhingethemselvesandflyathim.Itheattemptstoturnback,walkbeforehim,butdonotrun;andifhegetspastyou,encirclehimagaininthesamequietmanner,andhewillsoonfindthatyouarenotgoingtohurthim;andyoucansoonwalksoclosearoundhimthathewillgointothestableformoreroom,andtogetfartherfromyou.Assoonasheisin,removethequiethorseandshutthedoor.Thiswillbehisfirstnotionofconfinementnotknowinghowtogetinsuchaplace,norhowtogetoutofit.Thathemaytakeitasquietlyaspossible,seethattheshedisentirelyfreefromdogs,chickens,oranythingthatwouldannoyhim;thengivehimafewearsofcorn,andlethimremainalonefifteenortwentyminutes,untilhehasexaminedhisapartment,andhasbecomereconciledtohisconfinement.

TimetoReflect.

Andnow,whileyourhorseiseatingthosefewearsofcorn,isthepropertimetoseethatyourhalterisreadyandallright,andtoreflectonthebestmodeofoperations;for,inthehorsebreaking,itishighlyimportantthatyoushouldbegovernedbysomesystem.Andyoushouldknowbeforeyouattempttodoanything,justwhatyouaregoingtodo,andhowyouaregoingtodoit.And,ifyouareexperiencedintheartoftamingwildhorses,yououghttobeabletotellwithinafewminutesthelengthoftimeitwouldtakeyoutohalterthecolt,andlearnhimtolead.

ThekindofHalter.

Alwaysusealeatherhalter,andbesuretohaveitmadesothatitwillnotdrawtightaroundhisnoseifhepullsonit.Itshouldbeoftherightsizetofithisheadeasilyandnicely;sothatthenosebandwillnotbetootightortoolow.Neverputaropehalteronanunbrokencoltunderanycircumstanceswhatever.Theyhavecausedmorehorsestohurtorkillthemselves,thanwouldpayfortwicethecostofalltheleatherhaltersthathaveeverbeenneededforthepurposeofhalteringcolts.Itisalmostimpossibletobreakacoltthatisverywildwitharopehalter,withouthavinghimpull,rearandthrowhimself,andthusendangerhislife;andIwilltellyouwhy.Itisjustasnaturalforahorsetotrytogethisheadoutofanythingthathurtsit,orfeelsunpleasant,asitwouldbeforyoutotrytogetyourhandoutofafire.Thecordsoftheropeare

hardandcutting;thismakeshimraisehisheadanddrawonit,andassoonashepulls,theslipnoose(thewayropehaltersarealwaysmade)tightens,andpincheshisnose,andthenhewillstruggleforlife,until,perchance,hethrowshimself;andwhowouldhavehishorsethrowhimself,andruntheriskofbreakinghisneck,ratherthanpaythepriceofaleatherhalter.Butthisisnottheworst.Ahorsethathasoncepulledonhishalter,canneverbeaswellbrokeasonethathasneverpulledatall.

RemarksontheHorse.

Butbeforeweattempttodoanythingmorewiththecolt,Iwillgiveyousomeofthecharacteristicsofhisnature,thatyoumaybetterunderstandhismotions.Everyonethathaseverpaidanyattentiontothehorse,hasnoticedhisnatural

inclinationtosmellofeverythingwhichtohimlooksnewandfrightful.Thisistheirstrangemodeofexaminingeverything.And,whentheyarefrightenedatanything,thoughtheylookatitsharply,theyseemtohavenoconfidenceinthisopticalexaminationalone,butmusttouchitwiththenosebeforetheyareentirelysatisfied;and,assoonasthisisdone,allisright.

ExperimentswiththeRobe.

Ifyouwanttosatisfyyourselfofthischaracteristicofthehorse,andlearnsomethingofimportanceconcerningthepeculiaritiesofhisnature,etc.,turnhi


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mintothebarn-yard,oralargestablewilldo,andthengatherupsomethingthatyouknowwillfrightenhim;aredblanket,buffalorobe,orsomethingofthatkind.Holditupsothathecanseeit;hewillstickuphisheadandsnort.Thenthrowitdownsomewhereinthecenterofthelotorbarn,andwalkofftooneside.Watchhismotions,andstudyhisnature.Ifheisfrightenedattheobject,hewillnotrestuntilhehastoucheditwithhisnose.Youwillseehimbegintowalkaroundtherobeandsnort,allthetimegettingalittlecloser,asifdrawnupbysomemagicspell,untilhefinallygetswithinreachofit.Hewillthenverycautiouslystretchouthisneckasfarashecanreach,merelytouchingitwithhisnose,asthoughhethoughtitwasreadytoflyathim.Butafterhehasrepeatedthesetouchesafewtimes,forthefirst(thoughhehasbeenlookingatitallthetime)heseemstohaveanideawhatitis.Butnowhehasfound,bythesenseoffeeling,thatitisnothingthatwilldohimanyharm,andheisreadytoplaywithit.Andifyouwatchhimclosely,youwillseehimtakeholdofitwithhisteeth,andraiseitupandpullatit.Andinafewminutesyoucanseethathehasnotthatsamewildlookabouthiseye,butstandslikeahorsebitingatsomefamiliarstump.

Yetthehorseisneverwellsatisfiedwhenheisaboutanythingthathasfrightenedhim,aswhenheisstandingwithhisnosetoit.And,inninecasesoutoften,youwillseesomeofthatsamewildlookabouthimagain,asheturnstowalkfromit.Andyouwill,probably,seehimlookingbackverysuspiciouslyashewalksaway,asthoughhethoughtitmightcomeafterhimyet.And,inallprobability,hewillhavetogobackandmakeanotherexaminationbeforeheissatisfi

ed.Buthewillfamiliarizehimselfwithit,and,ifheshouldruninthatlotafewdays,therobethatfrightenedhimsomuchatfirst,willbenomoretohimthanafamiliarstump.

SuppositionsontheSenseofSmelling.

Wemightverynaturallysuppose,fromthefactofthehorse'sapplyinghisnosetoeverythingnewtohim,thathealwaysdoessoforthepurposeofsmellingtheseobjects.ButIbelievethatitisasmuchormoreforthepurposeoffeeling;andthathemakesuseofhisnoseormuzzle,(asitissometimescalled.)aswewouldofourhands;becauseitistheonlyorganbywhichhecantouchorfeelanythingwithmuchsusceptibility.

Ibelievethatheinvariablymakesuseofthefoursenses,seeing,hearing,smellingandfeeling,inallofhisexaminations,ofwhichthesenseoffeelingis,perhaps,themostimportant.AndIthinkthatintheexperimentwiththerobe,hisgradualapproachandfinaltouchwithhisnosewasasmuchforthepurposeoffeeling,asanythingelse,hissenseofsmellbeingsokeen,thatitwouldnotbenecessaryforhimtotouchhisnoseagainstanythinginordertogettheproperscent;foritissaidthatahorsecansmellamanthedistanceofamile.And,ifthescentoftherobewasallthatwasnecessary,hecouldgetthatseveralrodsoff.But,weknowfromexperience,thatifahorseseesandsmellsarobeashortdistancefromhim,heisverymuchfrightened,(unlessheisusedtoit,)untilhetouchesorfeelsitwithhisnose;whichisapositiveproofthatfeelingisthecontrollingsenseinthiscase.

PrevailingOpinionofHorsemen.

Itisaprevailingopinionamonghorsemengenerally,thatthesenseofsmellisthegoverningsenseofthehorse.AndFaucher,aswellasothers,have,withthatview,gotupreceiptsofstrongsmellingoils,etc.,totamethehorse,sometimesusingthechesnutofhisleg,whichtheydry,grindintopowderandblowintohisnostrils.Sometimesusingtheoilofrhodium,organnnum,etc.;thatarenotedfortheirstrongsmell.Andsometimestheyscentthehandswiththesweatfromunderthearm,orblowtheirbreathintohisnostrils,etc.,etc.Allofwhich,asfarasthescentgoeshavenoeffectwhateveringentlingthehorse,orco


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nveyinganyideatohismind;thoughtheworksthataccompanytheseeffortshandlinghim,touchinghimaboutthenoseandhead,andpattinghim,astheydirectyoushould,afteradministeringthearticles,mayhaveaverygreateffect,whichtheymistaketobetheeffectoftheingredientsused.AndFaucher,inhisworkentitled,"TheArabianartoftamingHorses,"page17,tellsushowtoaccustomahorsetoarobe,byadministeringcertainarticlestohisnose;andgoesontosay,thatthesearticlesmustfirstbeappliedtothehorse'snosebeforeyouattempttobreakhim,inordertooperatesuccessfully.

Now,reader,canyou,oranyoneelse,giveonesinglereasonhowscentcanconveyanyideatothehorse'smindofwhatwewanthimtodo?Ifnot,thenofcoursestrongscentsofanykindareofnoaccountintamingtheunbrokenhorse.Foreverythingthatwegethimtodoofhisownaccord,withoutforce,mustbeaccomplishedbysomemeansofconveyingourideastohismind.Isaytomyhorse"go'long"andhegoes;"ho!"andhestops:becausethesetwowords,ofwhichhehaslearnedthemeaningbythetapofthewhip,andthepullofthereinthatfirstaccompaniedthem,conveythetwoideastohismindofgoandstop.

Faucher,ornooneelse,caneverlearnthehorseasinglethingbythemeansofascentalone.

Howlongdoyousupposeahorsewouldhavetostandandsmellofabottleofoilbeforehewouldlearntobendhiskneeandmakeabowatyourbidding,"goyonderandbringyourhat,"or"comehereandlaydown?"Thusyouseetheabsurdity

oftryingtobreakortamethehorsebythemeansofreceiptsforarticlestosmellof,ormedicinetogivehim,ofanykindwhatever.

Theonlysciencethathaseverexistedintheworld,relativetothebreakingofhorses,thathasbeenofanyaccount,isthattruemethodwhichtakesthemintheirnativestate,andimprovestheirintelligence.

Powel'sSystemofApproachingtheColt.

But,beforewegofurther,IwillgiveyouWillisJ.Powel'ssystemofapproachingawildcolt,asgivenbyhiminaworkpublishedinEurope,abouttheyear1811,onthe"Artoftamingwildhorses."Hesays,"Ahorseisgentledbymysecret,infromtwotosixteenhours."ThetimeIhavemostcommonlyemployedhasbee

nfromfourtosixhours.Hegoesontosay:"Causeyourhorsetobeputinasmallyard,stable,orroom.Ifinastableorroom,itoughttobelargeinordertogivehimsomeexercisewiththehalterbeforeyouleadhimout.Ifthehorsebelongtothatclasswhichappearsonlytofearman,youmustintroduceyourselfgentlyintothestable,room,oryard,wherethehorseis.Hewillnaturallyrunfromyou,andfrequentlyturnhisheadfromyou;butyoumustwalkaboutextremelyslowandsoftly,sothathecanseeyouwheneverheturnshisheadtowardsyou,whichheneverfailstodoinashorttime,sayinaquarterofanhour.Ineverknewonetobemuchlongerwithoutturningtowardsme.

"Attheverymomentheturnshishead,holdoutyourlefthandtowardshim,andstandperfectlystill,keepingyoureyesuponthehorse,watchinghismotionsifhemakesany.Ifthehorsedoesnotstirfortenorfifteenminutes,advanceas

slowlyaspossible,andwithoutmakingtheleastnoise,alwaysholdingoutyourlefthand,withoutanyotheringredientinitthanthatwhatnatureputinit."Hesays,"Ihavemadeuseofcertain,ingredientsbeforepeople,suchasthesweatundermyarm,etc.,todisguisetherealsecret,andmanybelievedthatthedocilitytowhichthehorsearrivedinsoshortatime,wasowingtotheseingredients;butyouseefromthisexplanationthattheywereofnousewhatever.Theimplicitfaithplacedintheseingredients,thoughinnocentofthemselves,becomes'faithwithoutworks.'Andthusmenremainedalwaysindoubtconcerningthissecret.Ifthehorsemakestheleastmotionwhenyouadvancetowardhim,stop,andremainperfectlystilluntilheisquiet.Remainafewmomentsinthiscondi


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tion,andthenadvanceagaininthesameslowandimperceptiblemanner.Takenotice:ifthehorsestirs,stopwithoutchangingyourposition.Itisveryuncommonforthehorsetostirmorethanonceafteryoubegintoadvance,yetthereareexceptions.Hegenerallykeepshiseyessteadfastonyou,untilyougetnearenoughtotouchhimontheforehead.Whenyouarethusneartohim,raiseslowly,andbydegrees,yourhand,andletitcomeincontactwiththatpartjustabovethenostrilsaslightlyaspossible.Ifthehorseflinches,(asmanywill,)repeatwithgreatrapiditytheselightstrokesupontheforehead,goingalittlefurtheruptowardshisearsbydegrees,anddescendingwiththesamerapidityuntilhewillletyouhandlehisforeheadallover.Nowletthestrokesberepeatedwithmoreforceoverallhisforehead,descendingbylighterstrokestoeachsideofhishead,untilyoucanhandlethatpartwithequalfacility.Thentouchinthesamelightmanner,makingyourhandsandfingersplayaroundthelowerpartofthehorse'sears,comingdownnowandthentohisforehead,whichmaybelookeduponasthehelmthatgovernsalltherest.

"Havingsucceededinhandlinghisears,advancetowardstheneck,withthesameprecautions,andinthesamemanner;observingalwaystoaugmenttheforceofthestrokeswheneverthehorsewillpermitit.Performthesameonbothsidesoftheneck,untilheletsyoutakeitinyourarmswithoutflinching.

"Proceedinthesameprogressivemannertothesides,andthentothebackofthehorse.Everytimethehorseshowsanynervousnessreturnimmediatelytotheforeheadasthetruestandard,pattinghimwithyourhands,andfromthencerapidl

ytowhereyouhadalreadyarrived,alwaysgaininggroundaconsiderabledistancefartheroneverytimethishappens.Thehead,ears,neckandbodybeingthusgentled,proceedfromthebacktotherootofthetail.

"Thismustbemanagedwithdexterity,asahorseisnevertobedependedonthatisskittishaboutthetail.Letyourhandfalllightlyandrapidlyonthatpartnexttothebodyaminuteortwo,andthenyouwillbegintogiveitaslightpullupwardseveryquarterofaminute.Atthesametimeyoucontinuethishandlingofhim,augmenttheforceofthestrokes,aswellastheraisingofthetail,untilyoucanraiseitandhandleitwiththegreatestease,whichcommonlyhappensinaquarterofanhourinmosthorses;inothersalmostimmediately,andinsomemuchlonger.Itnowremainstohandleallhislegs.Fromthetailcomebackagaintothehead,handleitwell,aslikewisetheears,breast,neck,etc.,

speakingnowandthentothehorse.Beginbydegreestodescendtothelegs,alwaysascendinganddescending,gaininggroundeverytimeyoudescenduntilyougettohisfeet.

"TalktothehorseinLatin,Greek,French,English,orSpanish,orinanyotherlanguageyouplease;butlethimhearthesoundofyourvoice,whichatthebeginningoftheoperationisnotquitesonecessary,butwhichIhavealwaysdoneinmakinghimliftuphisfeet.Holdupyourfoot'Livelapied''Alzaelpie''Arontonpoda,'etc.,atthesametimelifthisfootwithyourhand.Hesoonbecomesfamiliarwiththesounds,andwillholdhisfootupatcommand.Thenproceedtothehindfeetandgooninthesamemanner,andinashorttimethehorsewillletyouliftthemandeventakethemupinyourarms.

"Allthisoperationisnomagnetism,nogalvanism;itismerelytakingawaythefearahorsegenerallyhasofaman,andfamiliarizingtheanimalwithhismaster;asthehorsedoubtlessexperiencesacertainpleasurefromthishandling,hewillsoonbecomegentleunderit,andshowaverymarkedattachmenttohiskeeper."

RemarksonPowel'sTreatmenthowtogovernHorsesofAnyKind.

Theseinstructionsareverygood,butnotquitesufficientforhorsesofallkinds,andforhalteringandleadingthecolt;butIhaveinsertedithere,because


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itgivessomeofthetruephilosophyofapproachingthehorse,andofestablishingconfidencebetweenmanandhorse.Hespeaksonlyofthekindthatfearman.

Tothosewhounderstandthephilosophyofhorsemanship,thesearetheeasiesttrained;forwhenwehaveahorsethatiswildandlively,wecantrainhimtoourwillinaveryshorttime;fortheyaregenerallyquicktolearn,andalwaysreadytoobey.Butthereisanotherkindthatareofastubbornorviciousdisposition,and,althoughtheyarenotwild,anddonotrequiretaming,inthesenseitisgenerallyunderstood,theyarejustasignorantasawildhorse,ifnotmoreso,andneedtobelearnedjustasmuch;andinordertohavethemobeyquickly,itisverynecessarythattheyshouldbemadetofeartheirmasters;for,inordertoobtainperfectobediencefromanyhorse,wemustfirsthavehimfearus,forourmottoisfear,love,andobey;andwemusthavethefulfilmentofthefirsttwobeforewecanexpectthelatter,anditisbyourphilosophyofcreatingfear,loveandconfidence,thatwegoverntoourwilleverykindofahorsewhatever.

Then,inordertotakehorsesaswefindthem,orallkinds,andtotrainthemtoourlikings,wewillalwaystakewithus,whenwegointoastabletotrainacolt,alongswitchwhip,(whale-bonebuggywhipsisthebest,)withagoodsilkcracker,soastocutkeenandmakeasharpreport,which,ifhandledwithdexterity,andrightlyapplied,accompaniedwithasharp,fierceword,willbesufficienttoenliventhespiritsofanyhorse.Withthiswhipinyourrighthand,withthelashpointingbackward,enterthestablealone.Itisagreatdisadvantag

eintrainingahorse,tohaveanyoneinthestablewithyou;youshouldbeentirelyalone,soasnottohavenothingbutyourselftoattracthisattention.Ifheiswildyouwillsoonseehimintheoppositesideofthestablefromyou;andnowisthetimetousealittlejudgement.Iwouldnotwantformyself,morethanhalforthree-quartersofanhourtohandleanykindofacolt,andhavehimrunningaboutinthestableafterme;thoughIwouldadviseanewbeginnertotakemoretime,andnottobeintoomuchofahurry.Ifyouhavebutonecolttogentle,andarenotparticularaboutthelengthoftimeyouspend,andhavenothadanyexperienceinhandlingcolts,IwouldadviseyoutotakeMr.Powel'smethodatfirst,tillyougentlehim,whichhesaystakesfromtwotosixhours.But,asIwanttoaccomplishthesame,andwhatismuchmore,learnthehorsetoleadinlessthanonehour,Ishallgiveyouamuchquickerprocessofaccomplishingthesameend.Accordingly,whenyouhaveenteredthestable,standstilla

ndletyourhorselookatyouaminuteortwo,andassoonasheissettledinoneplace,approachhimslowly,withbotharmsstationary,yourrighthangingbyyourside,holdingthewhipasdirected,andtheleftbentattheelbow,withyourhandprojecting.Asyouapproachhim,gonottoomuchtowardshisheadorcroop,soasnottomakehimmoveeitherforwardorbackward,thuskeepingyourhorsestationary,ifhedoesmovealittleforwardorbackward,stepalittletotherightorleftverycautiously;thiswillkeephiminoneplace,asyougetverynearhim,drawalittletohisshoulder,andstopafewseconds.Ifyouareinhisreachhewillturnhisheadandsmellatyourhand,notthathehasanypreferenceforyourhand,butbecausethatitisprojecting,andisthenearestportionofyourbodytothehorse.Thisallcoltswilldo,andtheywillsmellofyournakedhandjustasquickastheywillofanythingthatyoucanputinit,andwithjustasgoodaneffect,howevermuchsomemenhavepreachedthedoctrine

oftaminghorsesbygivingthemthescentarticlesfromthehand.Ihavealreadyprovedthattobeamistake.Assoonashetoucheshisnosetoyourhand,caresshimasbeforedirected,alwaysusingaverylight,softhand,merelytouchingthehorse,allwaysrubbingthewaythehairlays,sothatyourhandwillpassalongassmoothlyaspossible.Asyoustandbyhissideyoumayfinditmoreconvenienttorubhisneckorthesideofhishead,whichwillanswerthesamepurpose,asrubbinghisforehead.Favoreveryinclinationofthehorsetosmellortouchyouwithhisnose.Alwaysfolloweachtouchorcommunicationofthiskindwiththemosttenderandaffectionatecaresses,accompaniedwithakindlook,andpleasantwordofsomesort,suchas:Ho!mylittleboy,ho!mylittleboy,pret


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tyboy,nicelady!orsomethingofthatkind,constantlyrepeatingthesamewords,withthesamekind,steadytoneofvoice;forthehorsesoonlearnstoreadtheexpressionofthefaceandvoice,andwillknowaswellwhenfear,loveoranger,prevailsasyouknowyourownfeelings;twoofwhich,fearandanger,agoodhorsemanshouldneverfeel.

HowtoProceedifyourHorseisofaStubbornDisposition.

Ifyourhorse,insteadofbeingwild,seemstobeofastubbornormulishdisposition;ifhelaysbackhisearsasyouapproachhim,orturnshisheelstokickyou,hehasnotthatregardorfearofmanthatheshouldhave,toenableyoutohandlehimquicklyandeasily;anditmightbewelltogivehimafewsharpcutswiththewhip,aboutthelegs,prettyclosetothebody.Itwillcrackkeenasitpliesaroundhislegs,andthecrackofthewhipwillaffecthimasmuchasthestroke;besidesonesharpcutabouthislegswillaffecthimmorethantwoorthreeoverhisback,theskinontheinnerpartofhislegsorabouthisflankbeingthinner,moretenderthanonhisback.Butdonotwhiphimmuch,justenoughtoscarehim,itisnotbecausewewanttohurtthehorsethatwewhiphim,weonlydoittoscarethatbaddispositionoutofhim.Butwhateveryoudo,doquickly,sharplyandwithagooddealoffire,butalwayswithoutanger.Ifyouaregoingtoscarehimatallyoumustdoitatonce.Nevergointoapitchbattlewithyourhorse,andwhiphimuntilheismadandwillfightyou;youhadbetternottouchhimatall,foryouwillestablish,insteadoffearandregard,feelingsofresentment,hatredandill-will.Itwilldohimnogoodbutaninjury,

tostrikeablow,unlessyoucanscarehim;butifyousucceedinscaringhim,youcanwhiphimwithoutmakinghimmad;forfearandangerneverexisttogetherinthehorse,andassoonasoneisvisible,youwillfindthattheotherhasdisappeared.Assoonasyouhavefrightenedhimsothathewillstandupstraightandpaysomeattentiontoyou,approachhimagainandcaresshimagooddealmorethanyouwhippedhim,thenyouwillexcitethetwocontrollingpassionsofhisnature,loveandfear,andthenhewillfearandloveyoutoo,andassoonashelearnswhattodowillquicklyobey.

HowtoHalterandLeadtheColt.

Assoonasyouhavegentledthecoltalittle,takethehalterinyourlefthandandapproachhimasbefore,andonthesamesidethatyouhavegentledhim.If

heisverytimidaboutyourapproachingcloselytohim,youcangetuptohimquickerbymakingthewhipapartofyourarm,andreachingoutverygentlywiththebutendofit,rubbinghimlightlyontheneck,allthetimegettingalittlecloser,shorteningthewhipbytakingitupinyourhand,untilyoufinallygetcloseenoughtoputyourhandsonhim.Ifheisinclinedtoholdhisheadfromyou,puttheendofthehalterstraparoundhisneck,dropyourwhip,anddrawverygently;hewilllethisneckgive,andyoucanpullhisheadtoyou.Thentakeholdofthatpartofthehalter,whichbucklesoverthetopofhishead,andpassthelongside,orthatpartwhichgoesintothebuckle,underhisneck,graspingitontheoppositesidewithyourrighthand,lettingthefirststraploosethelatterwillbesufficienttoholdhisheadtoyou.Lowerthehalteralittle,justenoughtogethisnoseintothatpartwhichgoesaroundit,thenraiseitsomewhat,andfastenthetopbuckle,andyouwillhaveitallright.Thefirst

timeyouhalteracoltyoushouldstandontheleftside,prettywellbacktohisshoulderonlytakingholdofthatpartofthehalterthatgoesaroundhisneck,thenwithyourhandsabouthisneckyoucanholdhisheadtoyou,andraisethehalteronitwithoutmakinghimdodgebyputtingyourhandsabouthisnose.Youshouldhavealongropeorstrapready,andassoonasyouhavethehalteron,attachthistoit,sothatyoucanlethimwalkthelengthofthestablewithoutlettinggoofthestrap,orwithoutmakinghimpullonthehalter,forifyouonlylethimfeeltheweightofyourhandonthehalter,andgivehimropewhenherunsfromyou,hewillneverrear,pull,orthrowhimself,yetyouwillbeholdinghimallthetime,anddoingmoretowardsgentlinghim,thanifyouhadthe


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powertosnubhimrightup,andholdhimtoonespot;because,hedoesnotknowanythingabouthisstrength,andifyoudon'tdoanythingtomakehimpull,hewillneverknowthathecan.Inafewminutesyoucanbegintocontrolhimwiththehalter,thenshortenthedistancebetweenyourselfandthehorse,bytakingupthestrapinyourhand.

Assoonashewillallowyoutoholdhimbyatolerablyshortstrap,andstepuptohimwithoutflyingback,youcanbegintogivehimsomeideaaboutleading.Buttodothis,donotgobeforeandattempttopullhimafteryou,butcommencebypullinghimveryquietlytooneside.Hehasnothingtobraceeithersideofhisneck,andwillsoonyieldtoasteady,gradualpullofthehalter;andassoonasyouhavepulledhimasteportwotooneside,stepuptohimandcaresshim,andthenpullhimagain,repeatingthisoperationuntilyoucanpullhimaroundineverydirection,andwalkaboutthestablewithhim,whichyoucandoinafewminutes,forhewillsoonthinkwhenyouhavemadehimsteptotherightorleftafewtimes,thatheiscompelledtofollowthepullofthehalter,notknowingthathehasthepowertoresistyourpulling;besides,youhavehandledhimsogently,thatheisnotafraidofyou,andyoualwayscaresshimwhenhecomesuptoyou,andhelikesthat,andwouldjustasleavefollowyouasnot.Andafterhehashadafewlessonsofthatkind,ifyouturnhimoutinalothewillcomeuptoyoueveryopportunityhegets.Youshouldleadhimaboutinthestablesometimebeforeyoutakehimout,openingthedoor,sothathecanseeout,leadinghimuptoitandbackagain,andpastit.Seethatthereisnothingontheoutsidetomakehimjump,whenyoutakehimout,andasyougooutwithhi

m,trytomakehimgoveryslowly,catchingholdofthehalterclosetothejaw,withyourlefthand,whiletherightisrestingonthetopoftheneck,holdingtohismane.Afteryouareoutwithhimalittlewhile,youcanleadhimaboutasyouplease.Don'tletanysecondpersoncomeuptoyouwhenyoufirsttakehimout;astrangertakingholdofthehalterwouldfrightenhim,andmakehimrun.Thereshouldnotevenbeanyonestandingnearhimtoattracthisattention,orscarehim.Ifyouarealone,andmanagehimright,itwillnotrequireanymoreforcetoleadorholdhimthanitwouldtomanageabrokehorse.

HowtoleadaColtbythesideofabrokenHorse.

Ifyoushouldwanttoleadyourcoltbythesideofanotherhorse,asisoftenthecase,Iwouldadviseyoutotakeyourhorseintothestable,attachasecond

straptothecolt'shalter,andleadyourhorseupalongsideofhim.Thengetonthebrokehorseandtakeonestraparoundhisbreast,underhismartingale,(ifhehasanyon,)holdingitinyourlefthand.Thiswillpreventthecoltfromgettingbacktoofar;besides,youwillhavemorepowertoholdhim,withthestrappullingagainstthehorse'sbreast.Theotherstraptakeupinyourrighthandtopreventhimfromrunningahead;thenturnhimaboutafewtimesinthestable,andifthedooriswideenough,rideoutwithhiminthatposition;ifnot,takethebrokehorseoutfirst,andstandhisbreastupagainstthedoor,thenleadthecolttothesamespot,andtakethestrapsasbeforedirected,oneoneachsideofhisneck,thenletsomeonestartthecoltout,andashecomesout,turnyourhorsetotheleft,andyouwillhavethemallright.Thisisthebestwaytoleadacolt;youcanmanageanykindofacoltinthisway,withoutanytrouble;for,ifhetriestorunahead,orpullback,thetwostrapswillbringt

hehorsesfacingeachother,sothatyoucaneasilyfollowuphismovementswithoutdoingmuchholding,andassoonashestopsrunningbackwardyouarerightwithhim,andallreadytogoahead.Andifhegetsstubbornanddoesnotwanttogo,youcanremoveallhisstubbornnessbyridingyourhorseagainsthisneck,thuscompellinghimtoturntotheright,andassoonasyouhaveturnedhimaboutafewtimes,hewillbewillingtogoalong.Thenextthing,afteryouarethroughleadinghim,willbetotakehimintoastable,andhitchhiminsuchawayasnottohavehimpullonthehalter,andastheyareoftentroublesometogetintoastablethefirstfewtimes,Iwillgiveyousomeinstructionsaboutgettinghimin.


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HowtoleadaColtintotheStableandhitchHimwithouthavingHimpullontheHalter.

Youshouldleadthebrokehorseintothestablefirst,andgetthecolt,ifyoucan,tofollowinafterhim.Ifherefusestogo,stepuptohim,takingalittlestickorswitchinyourrighthand;thentakeholdofthehalterclosetohisheadwithyourlefthand,atthesametimereachingoverhisbackwithyourrightarmsothatyoucantaphimontheoppositesidewithyourswitch;bringhimupfacingthedoor,taphimlightlywithyourswitch,reachingasfarbackwithitasyoucan.Thistapping,bybeingprettywellback,andontheoppositeside,willdrivehimahead,andkeephimclosetoyou,thenbygivinghimtherightdirectionwithyourlefthandyoucanwalkintothestablewithhim.Ihavewalkedcoltsintothestablethisway,inlessthanaminute,aftermenhadworkedatthemhalfanhour,tryingtopullthemin.Ifyoucannotwalkhimitatoncethisway,turnhimaboutandwalkhimroundineverydirection,untilyoucangethimuptothedoorwithoutpullingathim.Thenlethimstandafewminutes,keepinghisheadintherightdirectionwiththehalter,andhewillwalkin,inlessthantenminutes.Neverattempttopullthecoltintothestable;thatwouldmakehimthinkatoncethatitwasadangerousplace,andifhewasnotafraidofitbefore,hewouldbethen.Besideswedon'twanthimtoknowanythingaboutpullingonthehalter.Coltsareoftenhurt,andsometimeskilled,bytryingtoforcethemintothestable;andthosewhoattempttodoitinthatway,gointoanup-hillbusiness,whenaplainsmoothroadisbeforethem.

Ifyouwanttohitchyourcolt,puthiminatolerablywidestallwhichshouldnotbetoolong,andshouldbeconnectedbyabarorsomethingofthatkindtothepartitionbehindit;sothat,afterthecoltisinhecannotgetfarenoughbacktotakeastraight,backwardpullonthehalter;thenbyhitchinghiminthecenterofthestall,itwouldbeimpossibleforhimtopullonthehalter,thepartitionbehindpreventinghimfromgoingback,andthehalterinthecentercheckinghimeverytimeheturnstotheleftorright.Inastateofthiskindyoucanbreakeveryhorsetostandhitchedbyalightstrap,anywhere,withouthiseverknowinganythingaboutpulling.Butifyouhavebrokeyourhorsetolead,andhavelearnedhimtheuseofthehalter(whichyoushouldalwaysdobeforeyouhitchhimtoanything),youcanhitchhiminanykindofastall,andgivehimsomethingtoeattokeephimuptohisplaceforafewminutesatfirstandth

ereisnotonecoltinfiftythatwillpullonhishalter.

ThekindofBitandhowtoaccustomaHorsetoit.

Youshouldusealarge,smooth,snafflebit,soasnottohurthismouth,withabartoeachside,topreventthebitfrompullingthrougheitherway.Thisyoushouldattachtothehead-stallofyourbridleandputitonyourcoltwithoutanyreinstoit,andlethimrunlooseinalargestableorshed,sometime,untilhebecomesalittleusedtothebit,andwillbearitwithouttryingtogetitoutofhismouth.Itwouldbewell,ifconvenient,torepeatthisseveraltimesbeforeyoudoanythingmorewiththecolt;assoonashewillbearthebit,attachasinglereintoit,withoutanymartingale.Youshouldalsohaveahalteronyourcolt,orabridlemadeafterthefashionofahalter,withastraptoit,

sothatyoucanholdorleadhimaboutwithoutpullingonthebitmuch.Heisnowreadyforthesaddle.

HowtoSaddleaColt.

Anyoneman,whohasthistheory,canputasaddleonthewildestcoltthatevergrew,withoutanyhelp,andwithoutscaringhim.Thefirstthingwillbetotieeachstirrupstrapintoalooseknottomakethemshort,andpreventthestirrupsfromflyingaboutandhittinghim.Thendoubleuptheskirtsandtakethesaddleunderyourrightarm,soasnottofrightenhimwithitasyouapproach.Whe


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nyougettohim,rubhimgentlyafewtimeswithyourhand,andthenraisethesaddleveryslowlyuntilhecanseeit,andsmell,andfeelitwithhisnose.Thenlettheskirtsloose,andrubitverygentlyagainsthisneckthewaythehairlays,lettinghimheartherattleoftheskirtsashefeelsthemagainsthim;eachtimegettingalittlefartherbackward,andfinallyslipitoverhisshouldersonhisback.Shakeitalittlewithyourhand,andinlessthanfiveminutesyoucanrattleitaboutoverhisbackasmuchasyouplease,andpullitoffandthrowitonagain,withouthispayingmuchattentiontoit.

Assoonasyouhaveaccustomedhimtothesaddle,fastenthegirth.Becarefulhowyoudothis.ItoftenfrightensaColtwhenhefeelsthegirthbindinghim,andmakingthesaddlefittightonhisback.Youshouldbringupthegirthverygently,andnotdrawittootightatfirst,justenoughtoholdthesaddleon.Movehimalittle,andthengirthitastightasyouchoose,andhewillnotmindit.

Youshouldseethatthepadofyoursaddleisallrightbeforeyouputiton,andthatthereisnothingtomakeithurthim,orfeelunpleasanttohisback.Itshouldnothaveanyloosestrapsonthebackpartofittoflapaboutandscarehim.Afteryouhavesaddledhiminthisway,takeaswitchinyourrighthandtotaphimupwith,andwalkaboutinthestableafewtimeswithyourrightarmoverthesaddle,takingholdofthereinsoneachsideofhisneck,withyourrightandlefthands.Thusmarchinghimaboutinthestableuntilyoulearnhimtheuseofthebridle,andcanturnhimaboutinanydirection,andstophimbyag

entlepulloftherein.Alwayscaresshim,andloosethereinsalittleeverytimeyoustophim.

Youshouldalwaysbealone,andhaveyourcoltinsometightstableorshed,thefirsttimeyouridehim;theloftshouldbehighsothatyoucansitonhisbackwithoutendangeringyourhead.Youcanlearnhimmoreintwohourstimeinastableofthiskind,thanyoucouldintwoweeksinthecommonwayofbreakingcolts,outinanopenplace.Ityoufollowmycourseoftreatment,youneednotrunanyrisk,orhaveanytroubleinridingtheworstkindofahorse.Youtakehimastepatatime,untilyougetupamutualconfidenceandtrustbetweenyourselfandhorse.Firstlearnhimtoleadandstandhitched,nextacquainthimwiththesaddle,andtheuseofthebit;andthenallthatremains,istogetonhimwithoutscaringhim,andyoucanridehimaswellasanyhorse.

HowtoMounttheColt.

Firstgentlehimwellonbothsides,aboutthesaddle,andallover,untilhewillstandstillwithoutholding,andisnotafraidtoseeyouanywhereabouthim.

Assoonasyouhavehimthusgentled,getasmallblock,aboutonefootoreighteeninchesinheight,andsetitdownbythesideofhim,aboutwhereyouwanttostandtomounthim;stepuponthis,raisingyourselfverygently;horsesnoticeeverychangeofpositionveryclosely,andifyouweretostepupsuddenlyontheblock,itwouldbeveryapttoscarehim;butbyraisingyourselfgraduallyonit,hewillseeyou,withoutbeingfrightened,inapositionverynearthes

ameaswhenyouareonhisback.

Assoonashewillbearthiswithoutalarm,untiethestirrupstrapnexttoyou,andputyourleftfootintothestirrup,andstandsquareoverit,holdingyourkneeagainstthehorse,andyourtoeout,soastotouchhimundertheshoulderwiththetoeofyourboot.Placeyourrighthandonthefrontofthesaddleandontheoppositesideofyou.Takingholdofaportionofthemaneandthereinsastheyhanglooselyoverhisneckwithyourlefthand;thengraduallybearyourweightonthestirrup,andonyourrighthand,untilthehorsefeelsyourwholeweightonthesaddle;repeatthisseveraltimes,eachtimeraisingyourselfa


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littlehigherfromtheblock,untilhewillallowyoutoraiseyourlegoverhiscroop,andplaceyourselfinthesaddle.

Therearethreegreatadvantagesinhavingablocktomountfrom.First,asuddenchangeofpositionisveryapttofrightenayounghorsethathasneverbeenhandled;hewillallowyoutowalkuptohim,andstandbyhissidewithoutscaringatyou,becauseyouhavegentledhimtothatposition,butifyougetdownonyourhandsandkneesandcrawltowardshim,hewillbeverymuchfrightened,anduponthesameprinciple,hewouldfrightenatyournewpositionifyouhadthepowertoholdyourselfoverhisbackwithouttouchinghim.Thenthefirstgreatadvantageoftheblockistograduallygentlehimtothatnewpositioninwhichhewillseeyouwhenyouridehim.

Secondly,bytheprocessofleaningyourweightinthestirrups,andonyourhand,youcangraduallyaccustomhimtoyourweight,soasnottofrightenhimbyhavinghimfeelitallatonce.Andinthethirdplacetheblockelevatesyousothatyouwillnothavetomakeaspringinordertogetontothehorse'sback,butfromityoucangraduallyraiseyourselfintothesaddle.Whenyoutaketheseprecautions,thereisnohorsesowild,butwhatyoucanmounthimwithoutmakinghimjump.Ihavetrieditontheworsthorsesthatcouldbefound,andhaveneverfailedinanycase.Whenmounting,yourhorseshouldalwaysstandwithoutbeingheld.Ahorseisneverwellbrokewhenhehastobeheldwithatightreinwhilemounting;andacoltisneversosafetomount,aswhenyouseethatassuranceofconfidence,andabsenceoffear,whichcauseshimtostandwithouthold

ing.

HowtoRidetheColt.

Whenyouwanthimtostartdonottouchhimonthesidewithyourheelordoanythingtofrightenhimandmakehimjump.Butspeaktohimkindly,andifhedoesnotstartpullhimalittletotheleftuntilhestarts,andthenlethimwalkoffslowlywiththereinsloose.Walkhimaroundinthestableafewtimesuntilhegetsusedtothebit,andyoucanturnhimaboutineverydirectionandstophimasyouplease.Itwouldbewelltogetonandoffagoodmanytimesuntilhegetsperfectlyusedtoitbeforeyoutakehimoutofthestable.

Afteryouhavetrainedhiminthisway,whichshouldnottakeyoumorethanone

ortwohours,youcanridehimanywhereyouchoosewithouteverhavinghimjumpormakeanyefforttothrowyou.

Whenyoufirsttakehimoutofthestablebeverygentlewithhim,ashewillfeelalittlemoreatlibertytojumporrun,andbealittleeasierfrightenedthanhewaswhileinthestable.Butafterhandlinghimsomuchinthestablehewillbeprettywellbroke,andyouwillbeabletomanagehimwithouttroubleordanger.

Whenyoufirstmounthimtakealittletheshortestholdontheleftrein,sothatifanythingfrightenshimyoucanpreventhimjumpingbypullinghisheadaroundtoyou.Thisoperationofpullingahorse'sheadaroundagainsthissidewillpreventanyhorsefromjumpingahead,rearingup,orrunningaway.Ifheiss

tubbornandwillnotgoyoucanmakehimmovebypullinghisheadaroundtooneside,whenwhippingwouldhavenoeffect.Andturninghimaroundafewtimeswillmakehimdizzy,andthenbylettinghimhavehisheadstraight,andgivinghimalittletouchwiththewhip,hewillgoalongwithoutanytrouble.

Neverusemartingalesonacoltwhenyoufirstridehim;everymovementofthehandshouldgorighttothebitinthedirectioninwhichitisappliedtothereins,withoutamartingaletochangethedirectoftheforceapplied.Youcanguidethecoltmuchbetterwithoutthem,andlearnhimtheuseofthebitinmuchlesstime.Besides,martingaleswouldpreventyoufrompullinghisheadaroundif


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heshouldtrytojump.

Afteryourcolthasbeenrodeuntilheisgentleandwellaccustomedtothebit,youmayfinditanadvantageifhecarrieshisheadtoohigh,orhisnosetoofarout,toputmartingalesonhim.

Youshouldbecarefulnottorideyourcoltsofaratfirstastoheat,worryortirehim.Getoffassoonasyouseeheisalittlefatigued;gentlehimandlethimrest,thiswillmakehimkindtoyouandpreventhimfromgettingstubbornormad.

TheproperwaytoBitaColt.

Farmersoftenputbittingharnessonacoltthefirstthingtheydotohim,bucklingupthebittingastightastheycandrawittomakehimcarryhisheadhigh,andthenturnhimoutinalottorunahalfdayatatime.Thisisoneoftheworstpunishmentsthattheycouldinflictonthecolt,andveryinjurioustoayounghorsethathasbeenusedtorunninginpasturewithhisheaddown.Ihaveseencoltssoinjuredinthiswaythattheynevergotoverit.

Ahorseshouldbewellaccustomedtothebitbeforeyouputonthebittingharness,andwhenyoufirstbithimyoushouldonlyreinhisheaduptothatpointwherehenaturallyholdsit,letthatbehighorlow;hewillsoonlearnthathecannotlowerhishead,andthatraisingitalittlewillloosenthebitinhismo

uth.Thiswillgivehimtheideaofraisinghisheadtoloosenthebit,andthenyoucandrawthebittingalittletightereverytimeyouputiton,andhewillstillraisehisheadtoloosenit;bythismeansyouwillgraduallygethisheadandneckinthepositionyouwanthimtocarryit,andgivehimaniceandgracefulcarriagewithouthurtinghim,makinghimmad,orcausinghismouthtogetsore.

Ifyouputthebittingonverytightthefirsttime,hecannotraisehisheadenoughtoloosenit,butwillbearonitallthetime,andpaw,sweatandthrowhimself.Manyhorseshavebeenkilledbyfallingbackwardwiththebittingon,theirheadsbeingdrawnup,strikethegroundwiththewholeweightofthebody.Horsesthathavetheirheadsdrawnuptightlyshouldnothavethebittingonmorethanfifteenortwentyminutesatatime.

HowtodriveaHorsethatisverywild,andhasanyvicioushabit

Takeuponeforefootandbendhiskneetillhishoofisbottomupwards,andmerelytouchinghisbody,thenslipaloopoverhisknee,andupuntilitcomesabovethepasturejointtokeepitup,beingcarefultodrawthelooptogetherbetweenthehoofandpasturejointwithasecondstrapofsomekind,topreventtheloopfromslippingdownandcomingoff.Thiswillleavethehorsestandingonthreelegs;youcannowhandlehimasyouwish,foritisutterlyimpossibleforhimtokickinthisposition.Thereissomethinginthisoperationoftakinguponefootthatconquersahorsequickerandbetterthananythingelseyoucandotohim.Thereisnoprocessintheworldequaltoittobreakakickinghorse,forseveralreasons.First,thereisaprincipleofthiskindinthenatureofth

ehorse;thatbyconqueringonememberyouconquertoagreatextentthewholehorse.

Youhaveperhapsseenmenoperateuponthisprinciplebysewingahorse'searstogethertopreventhimfromkicking.Ioncesawaplangiveninanewspapertomakeabadhorsestandtobeshod,whichwastofastendownoneear.Therewerenoreasonsgivenwhyyoushoulddoso;butItrieditseveraltimes,andthoughtithadagoodeffectthoughIwouldnotrecommenditsuse,especiallystitchinghisearstogether.Theonlybenefitarisingfromthisprocessis,thatbydisarranginghisearswedrawhisattentiontothem,andheisnotsoapttoresistthe


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shoeing.Bytyinguponefootweoperateonthesameprincipletoamuchbettereffect.Whenyoufirstfastenupahorse'sfoothewillsometimesgetverymad,andstrikewithhisknee,andtryeverypossiblewaytogetitdown;buthecannotdothat,andwillsoongiveitup.

Thiswillconquerhimbetterthananythingyoucoulddo,andwithoutanypossibledangerofhurtinghimselforyoueither,foryoucantieuphisfootandsitdownandlookathimuntilhegivesup.Whenyoufindthatheisconquered,gotohim,letdownhisfoot,rubhislegwithyourhand,caresshimandlethimrestalittle,thenputitupagain.Repeatthisafewtimes,alwaysputtingupthesamefoot,andhewillsoonlearntotravelonthreelegssothatyoucandrivehimsomedistance.Assoonashegetsalittleusedtothiswayoftraveling,putonyourharnessandhitchhimtoasulky.Ifheistheworstkickinghorsethateverraisedafootyouneednotbefearfulofhisdoinganydamagewhilehehasonefootup,forhecannotkick,neithercanherunfastenoughtodoanyharm.Andifheisthewildesthorsethateverhadharnesson,andhasrunawayeverytimehehasbeenhitched,youcannowhitchhiminasulkyanddrivehimasyouplease.Andifhewantstorunyoucanlethimhavethelines,andthewhiptoo,withperfectsafety,forhecannotgobutaslowgaitonthreelegs,andwillsoonbetiredandwillingtostop;onlyholdhimenoughtoguidehimintherightdirection,andhewillsoonbetiredandwillingtostopattheword.Thusyouwilleffectuallycurehimatonceofanyfurthernotionofrunningoff.Kickinghorseshavealwaysbeenthedreadofeverybody;youalwayshearmensay,whentheyspeakaboutabadhorse,"Idon'tcarewhathedoes,sohedon'tkick."Th

isnewmethodisaneffectualcureforthisworstofallhabits.Thereareplentyofwaysbywhichyoucanhitchakickinghorseandforcehimtogo,thoughhekicksallthetime;butthisdon'thaveanygoodeffecttowardsbreakinghim,forweknowthathorseskickbecausetheyareafraidofwhatisbehindthem,andwhentheykickagainstitandithurtsthemtheywillonlykicktheharder,andthiswillhurtthemstillmoreandmakethemrememberthescrapemuchlonger,andmakeitstillmoredifficulttopersuadethemtohaveanyconfidenceinanythingdraggingbehindthemeverafter.

Butbythisnewmethodyoucanhitchthemtoarattlingsulky,plow,wagon,oranythingelseinitsworstshape.Theymaybefrightenedatfirst,butcannotkickordoanythingtohurtthemselves,andwillsoonfindthatyoudonotintendtohurtthem,andthentheywillnotcareanythingmoreaboutit.Youcanthen

letdowntheleganddrivealonggentlywithoutanyfarthertrouble.Bythisnewprocessabadkickinghorsecanbelearnedtogogentleinharnessinafewhours'time.

OnBalking.

Horsesknownothingaboutbalking,onlyastheyarebroughtintoitbyimpropermanagement,andwhenahorsebalksinharnessitisgenerallyfromsomemismanagement,excitement,confusion,orfromnotknowinghowtopull,butseldomfromanyunwillingnesstoperformallthatheunderstands.Highspirited,freegoinghorsesarethemostsubjecttobalking,andonlysobecausedriversdonotproperlyunderstandhowtomanagethiskind.Afreehorseinateammaybesoanxioustogothatwhenhehearsthewordhewillstartwithajump,whichwillnotmove

theload,butgivehimsuchaseverejerkontheshouldersthathewillflybackandstoptheotherhorse;theteamsterwillcontinuehisdrivingwithoutanycessation,andbythetimehehastheslowhorsestartedagainhewillfindthatthefreehorsehasmadeanotherjump,andagainflewback,andnowhehasthembothbadlybalked,andsoconfusedthatneitherofthemknowswhatisthematter,orhowtostarttheload.Nextwillcometheslashingandcrackingofthewhip,andhallooingofthedriver,tillsomethingisbrokenorheisthroughwithhiscourseoftreatment.Butwhatamistakethedrivercommitsbywhippinghishorseforthisact.Reasonandcommonsenseshouldteachhimthatthehorsewaswillingandanxioustogo,butdidnotknowhowtostarttheload.Andshouldhewhi


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phimforthat?Ifso,heshouldwhiphimagainfornotknowinghowtotalk.Amanthatwantstoactwithanyrationalityorreasonshouldnotflyintoapassion,butshouldalwaysthinkbeforehestrikes.Ittakesasteadypressureagainstthecollartomoveaload,andyoucannotexpecthimtoactwithasteady,determinedpurposewhileyouarewhippinghim.Thereishardlyonebalkinghorseinfivehundredthatwillpulltruefromwhipping;itisonlyaddingfueltofire,andwillmakethemmoreliabletobalkanothertime.Youalwaysseehorsesthathavebeenbalkedafewtimes,turntheirheadsandlookback,assoonastheyarealittlefrustrated.Thisisbecausetheyhavebeenwhippedandareafraidofwhatisbehindthem.Thisisaninvariablerulewithbalkedhorses,justasmuchasitisforthemtolookaroundattheirsideswhentheyhavethebots;ineithercasetheyaredeservingofthesamesympathyandthesamekind,rationaltreatment.

Whenyourhorsebalks,orisalittleexcited,ifhewantstostartquickly,orlooksaroundanddon'twanttogo,thereissomethingwrong,andneedskindhetreatmentimmediately.Caresshimkindly,andifhedon'tunderstandatoncewhatyouwanthimtodohewillnotbesomuchexcitedastojumpandbreakthings,anddoeverythingwrongthroughfear.Aslongasyouarecalmandcankeepdowntheexcitementofthehorse,therearetenchancestohavehimunderstandyou,wheretherewouldnotbeoneunderharshtreatment,andthenthelittleflareupwouldnotcarrywithitanyunfavorablerecollections,andhewouldsoonforgetallaboutit,andlearntopulltrue.Almosteverywrongactthehorsecommitsisfrommismanagement,fearorexcitement;oneharshwordwillsoexciteanervou

shorseastoincreasehispulsetenbeatsinaminute.

Whenwerememberthatwearedealingwithdumbbrutes,andreflecthowdifficultitmustbeforthemtounderstandourmotions,signsandlanguage,weshouldnevergetoutofpatiencewiththembecausetheydon'tunderstandus,orwonderattheirdoingthingswrong.Withallourintellect,ifwewereplacedinthehorse'ssituation,itwouldbedifficultforustounderstandthedrivingofsomeforeigner,offoreignwaysandforeignlanguage.Weshouldalwaysrecollectthatourwaysandlanguagearejustasforeignandunknowntothehorseasanylanguageintheworldistous,andshouldtrytopracticewhatwecouldunderstand,werewethehorse,endeavoringbysomesimplemeanstoworkonhisunderstandingratherthanonthedifferentpartsofhisbody.Allbalkedhorsescanbestartedtrueandsteadyinafewminutestime;theyareallwillingtopullassoonast

heyknowhow,andIneveryetfoundabalkedhorsethatIcouldnotteachhimtostarthisloadinfifteen,andoftenlessthanthreeminutestime.

Almostanyteam,whenfirstbalked,willstartkindly,ifyouletthemstandfiveortenminutes,asthoughtherewasnothingwrong,andthenspeaktothemwithasteadyvoice,andturnthemalittletotherightorleft,soastogetthembothinmotionbeforetheyfeelthepinchoftheload.Butifyouwanttostartateamthatyouarenotdrivingyourself,thathasbeenbalked,fooledandwhippedforsometime,gotothemandhangthelinesontheirhames,orfastenthemtothewagon,sothattheywillbeperfectlyloose;makethedriverandspectators(ifthereisany)standoffsomedistancetooneside,soasnottoattracttheattentionofthehorses;unloosetheircheckreins,sothattheycangettheirheadsdown,iftheychoose;letthemstandafewminutesinthiscondition,unti

lyoucanseethattheyarealittlecomposed.Whiletheyarestandingyoushouldbeabouttheirheads,gentlingthem;itwillmakethemalittlemorekind,andthespectatorswillthinkthatyouaredoingsomethingthattheydonotunderstand,andwillnotlearnthesecret.Whenyouhavethemreadytostart,standbeforethem,andasyouseldomhavebutonebalkyhorseinateam,getasnearinfrontofhimasyoucan,andifheistoofastfortheotherhorse,lethisnosecomeagainstyourbreast;thiswillkeephimsteady,forhewillgoslowratherthanrunonyou;turnthemgentlytotheright,withoutlettingthempullonthetraces,asfarasthetonguewillletthemgo;stopthemwithakindword,gentlethemalittle,andthenturnthembacktotheleft,bythesameprocess.You


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willhavethemunderyourcontrolbythistime,andasyouturnthemagaintotheright,steadytheminthecollar,andyoucantakethemwhereyouplease.

Thereisaquickerprocessthatwillgenerallystartabalkyhorse,butnotsosure.Standhimalittleahead,sothathisshoulderswillbeagainstthecollar,andthentakeuponeofhisforefeetinyourhand,andletthedriverstartthem,andwhentheweightcomesagainsthisshoulders,hewilltrytostep;thenlethimhavehisfoot,andhewillgorightalong.Ifyouwanttobreakahorsefrombalkingthathaslongbeeninthathabit,yououghttosetapartahalfdayforthatpurpose.Puthimbythesideofsomesteadyhorse;havechecklinesonthem;tieupallthetracesandstraps,sothattherewillbenothingtoexcitethem;donotreinthemup,butletthemhavetheirheadsloose.Walkthemabouttogetherforsometimeasslowlyandlazilyaspossible;stopoften,andgouptoyourbalkyhorseandgentlehim.Donottakeanywhipabouthim,ordoanythingtoexcitehim,butkeephimjustasquietasyoucan.Hewillsoonlearntostartoffattheword,andstopwheneveryoutellhim.

Assoonasheperformsright,hitchhiminanemptywagon;haveitstandinafavorablepositionforstarting.Itwouldbewelltoshortenthestaychainbehindthesteadyhorse,sothatifitisnecessaryhecantaketheweightofthewagonthefirsttimeyoustartthem.Donotdrivebutafewrodsatfirst;watchyourbalkyhorseclosely,andifyouseethatheisgettingbalky,stophimbeforehestopsofhisownaccord,caresshimalittle,andstartagain.Assoonastheygowell,drivethemoverasmallhillafewtimes,andthenoveralargeone,

occasionallyaddingalittleload.Thisprocesswillmakeanyhorsetruetopull.

ToBreakaHorsetoHarness.

Takehiminatightstable,asyoudidtoridehim;taketheharnessandgothroughthesameprocessthatyoudidwiththesaddle,untilyougethimfamiliarwiththem,sothatyoucanputthemonhimandrattlethemaboutwithouthiscaringforthem.Assoonashewillbearthis,putonthelines,caresshimasyoudrawthemoverhim,anddrivehimaboutinthestabletillhewillbearthemoverhiships.Thelinesareagreataggravationtosomecolts,andoftenfrightenthemasmuchasifyouweretoraiseawhipoverthem.Assoonasheisfamiliarwiththeharnessandline,takehimoutandputhimbythesideofagentlehorse

,andgothroughthesameprocessthatyoudidwiththebalkinghorse.Alwaysuseabridlewithoutblindswhenyouarebreakingahorsetoharness.

HowtohitchaHorseinaSulky.

Leadhimtoandaroundit;lethimlookatit,touchitwithhisnose,andstandbyittillhedoesnotcareforit;thenpulltheshaftsalittletotheleft,andstandbyyourhorseinfrontoftheoffwheel.Letsomeonestandontherightsideofthehorse,andholdhimbythebit,whileyoustandontheleftside,facingthesulky.Thiswillkeephimstraight.Runyourlefthandbackandletitrestonhiship,andlayholdoftheshaftswithyourright,bringingthemupverygentlytothelefthand,whichstillremainsstationary.Donotletanythingbutyourarmtouchhisback,andassoonasyouhavetheshaftssquareoverh

im,letthepersonontheoppositesidetakeholdofoneofthemandlowerthemverygentlyontheshaftbearers.Beveryslowanddeliberateabouthitching;thelongertimeyoutake,thebetter,asageneralthing.Whenyouhavetheshaftsplaced,shakethemslightly,sothathewillfeelthemagainsteachside.Assoonashewillbearthemwithoutscaring,fastenyourbraces,etc.,andstarthimalongveryslowly.Letonemanleadthehorsetokeephimgentle,whiletheothergraduallyworksbackwiththelinestillhecangetbehindanddrivehim.Afteryouhavedrivenhiminthiswayashortdistance,youcangetintothesulky,andallwillgoright.Itisveryimportanttohaveyourhorsegogently,whenyoufirsthitchhim.Afteryouhavewalkedhimawhile,thereisnothalfsomuch


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dangerofhisscaring.Mendoverywrongtojumpupbehindahorsetodrivehimassoonastheyhavehimhitched.Therearetoomanythingsforhimtocomprehendallatonce.Theshafts,thelines,theharness,andtherattlingofthesulky,alltendtoscarehim,andhemustbemadefamiliarwiththembydegrees.Ifyourhorseisverywild,Iwouldadviseyoutoputuponefootthefirsttimeyoudrivehim.

HowtoMakeaHorseLieDown.

Everythingthatwewanttolearnthehorsemustbecommencedinsomewaytogivehimanideaofwhatyouwanthimtodo,andthenberepeatedtillhelearnsitperfectly.Tomakeahorseliedown,bendhisleftforeleg,andslipaloopoverit,sothathecannotgetitdown.Thenputacircinglearoundhisbody,andfastenoneendofalongstraparoundtheotherforeleg,justabovethehoof.Placetheotherendunderthecircingle,soastokeepthestrapintherighthand;standontheleftsideofthehorse,graspthebitinyourlefthand,pullsteadilyonthestrapwithyourright;bearagainsthisshouldertillyoucausehimtomove.Assoonasheliftshisweight,yourpullingwillraisetheotherfoot,andhewillhavetocomeonhisknees.Keepthestraptightinyourhand,sothathecannotstraightenhislegifheraisesup.Holdhiminhisposition,andturnhisheadtowardyou;bearagainsthissidewithyourshoulder,nothard,butwithasteadyequalpressure,andinabouttenminuteshewillliedown.Assoonasheliesdownhewillbecompletelyconquered,andyoucanhandlehimasyouplease.Takeoffthestraps,andstraightenouthislegs;rubhimlightlyabo

utthefaceandneckwithyourhandthewaythehairlays;handleallhislegs,andafterhehaslaintenortwentyminutes,lethimgetupagain.Afterrestinghimashorttime,makehimliedownasbefore.Repeattheoperationthreeorfourtimes,whichwillbesufficientforonelesson.Givehimtwolessonsaday,andwhenyouhavegivenhimfourlessons,hewillliedownbytakingholdofonefoot.Assoonasheiswellbrokentoliedowninthisway,taphimontheoppositelegwithastickwhenyoutakeholdofhisfoot,andinafewdayshewillliedownfromthemeremotionofthestick.

HowtomakeaHorsefollowyou.

Turnhimintoalargestableorshed,wherethereisnochancetogetout,withahalterorbridleon.Gotohimandgentlehimalittle,takeholdofhishalte

randturnhimtowardsyou,atthesametimetouchinghimlightlyoverthehipswithalongwhip.Leadhimthelengthofthestable,rubbinghimontheneck,sayinginasteadytoneofvoiceasyouleadhim,COMEALONGBOY!orusehisnameinsteadofboy,ifyouchoose.Everytimeyouturn,touchhimslightlywiththewhip,tomakehimstepupclosetoyou,andthencaresshimwithyourhand.Hewillsoonlearntohurryuptoescapethewhipandbecaressed,andyoucanmakehimfollowyouaroundwithouttakingholdofthehalter.Ifheshouldstopandturnfromyou,givehimafewcutsaboutthehindlegs,andhewillsoonturnhisheadtowardyou,whenyoumustalwayscaresshim.Afewlessonsofthiskindwillmakehimrunafteryou,whenheseesthemotionofthewhipintwentyorthirtyminuteshewillfollowyouaboutthestable.Afteryouhavegivenhimtwoorthreelessonsinthestable,takehimoutintoasmalllotandtrainhim;andfromthenceyoucantakehimintotheroadandmakehimfollowyouanywhere,andrun

afteryou.

HowtomakeaHorsestandwithoutHolding.

Afteryouhavehimwellbrokentofollowyou,standhiminthecenterofthestablebeginathisheadtocaresshim,graduallyworkingbackward.Ifhemove,givehimacutwiththewhipandputhimbackinthesamespotfromwhichhestarted.Ifhestands,caresshimasbefore,andcontinuegentlinghiminthiswayuntilyoucangetroundhimwithoutmakinghimmove.Keepwalkingaroundhim,increasingyourpace,andonlytouchhimoccasionally.Enlargeyourcircleasyouwalk


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aroundandifhethenmoves,givehimanothercutwiththewhipandputhimbacktohisplace.Ifhestands,gotohimfrequentlyandcaresshim,andthenwalkaroundhimagain.Donotkeephiminonepositiontoolongatatime,butmakehimcometoyouoccasionallyandfollowyouroundinthestable.Thenstandhiminanotherplace,andproceedasbefore.Youshouldnottrainyourhorsemorethanhalfanhouratatime.

THEHORSEMAN'SGUIDE

AND

FARRIER.

ByJOHNJ.STUTZMAN,WestRushville,FairfieldCounty,Ohio.

Iwillhereinsertsomeofthemostefficientcuresofdiseasestowhichthehorseissubject.Ihavepractisedthemformanyyearswithunparalleledsuccess.Ihavecuredhorseswiththefollowingremedies,which,(inmanycases,)havebeengivenupindespair,andIneverhadacaseinwhichIdidnoteffectacure.

CureforColic.

Take1gillofturpentine,1gillofopiumdissolvedinwhisky;1quartofwater,milkwarm.Drenchthehorseandmovehimaboutslowly.Ifthereisnoreliefi

nfifteenminutes,takeapieceofchalk,aboutthesizeofanegg,powderit,andputitintoapintofcidervinegar,whichshouldbebloodwarm,givethat,andthenmovehimasbefore.

ANOTHER.Take1ouncelaudanum,1ounceofether,1ounceoftinctureofassafoetida,2ouncestinctureofpeppermint,halfpintofwhisky;putallinaquartbottle,shakeitwellanddrenchthehorse.

CurefortheBots.

Take1-1/2pintoffreshmilk,(justfromthecow,)1pintofmolasses.Drenchthehorseandbleedhiminthemouth;thengivehim1pintoflinseedoiltoremovethem.

ForDistemper.

Takemustardseedgroundfine,tarandryechop,makepillsaboutthesizeofahen'segg.Givehimsixpillseverysixhours,untiltheyphysichim;thengivehimonetablespoonfulofthehorsepowdermentionedbefore,onceaday,untilcured.Keephimfromcoldwaterforsixhoursafterusingthepowder.

LongFever.

Inthefirstplacebleedthehorseseverely.Givehimspiritsofnitre,inwaterwhichshouldnotbetoocold,foritwouldchillhim.Keephimwellcoveredwithblankets,andrubhislegsandbodywell;blisterhimaroundthechestwithmu

stardseed,andbesuretogivehimnocoldwater,unlessthereisspiritsofnitreinit.

RheumaticLiniment.

Takecrotonoil,aquaammonia,f.f.f;oilofcajuput,oiloforiganum,inequalparts.Rubwell.Itisgoodforspinaldiseasesandweakback.

CutsandWoundsofallkinds.


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Onepintofalcohol,halfounceofgumofmyrrh,halfouncealoes,washonceaday.

SprainsandSwellings.

Take1-1/2ouncesofharts-horn,1ouncecamphor,2ouncesspiritsofturpentine,4ouncessweetoil,8ouncesalcohol.Anointtwiceaday.

ForGlanders.

Takeofburntbuck'shornatablespoonful,everythreedaysforninedays.Ifthereisnoreliefinthattime,continuethepowderuntilthereisrelief.

SaddleorCollarLiniment.

Oneounceofspiritsofturpentine,halfounceofoilofspike,halfounceessenceofwormwood,halfouncecastilesoap,halfouncegumcamphor,halfouncesulphuricether,halfpintalcohol,andwashfreely.

LinimenttosetthestifleJointonaHorse.

Oneounceoilofspike,halfounceoriganum,halfounceoilamber.Shakeitwellandrubthejointstwiceadayuntilcured,whichwillbeintwoorthreedays.

EyeWater.

Ihavetriedthefollowingandfounditanefficientremedy.Ihavetrieditonmyowneyesandthoseofothers.Takebolusmuna1ounce,whitevitrol1ounce,alumhalfounce,withonepintclearrainwater:shakeitwellbeforeusing.Iftoostrong,weakenitwithrainwater.

LinimentforWindgalls,StrainsandgrowthofLumpsonManorHorse.

Oneounceoilofspike,halfounceoriganum,halfounceamber,aquafortisandsalamoniac1drachm,spiritsofsalts1drachmoilofsassafrashalfounce,harts-hornhalfounce.Batheonceortwiceaday.

HorsePowder.

Thispowderwillcuremorediseasesthananyothermedicineknown;suchasDistemper,Fersey,Hidebound,Colds,andalllingeringdiseaseswhichmayarisefromimpurityofthebloodorlungs.Take1lb.comfreyroot,halflb.antimony,halflb.sulphur,3oz.ofsaltpetre,halflb.laurelberries,halflb.juniperberries,halflb.angeticeseed,halflb.rosin,3oz.alum,halflb.copperas,halflb.masterwort,halflb.gunpowder.Mixalltoapowderandgiveinthemostcases,onetablespoonfulinmashfeedonceadaytillcured.Keepthehorsedry,andkeephimfromthecoldwatersixhoursafterusingit.

ForCutsorWoundsonHorseorMan.

Takefishwormsmashedupwitholdbaconoil,andtieonthewound,whichisthesurestandsafestcure.

OilforCollars.

Thisoilwillalsocurebruises,sores,swellings,strainsorgalls.Takefishwormsandputtheminacrockorothervessel24hours,tilltheybecomeclean;thenputtheminabottleandthrowplentyofsaltuponthem,placethemnearastoveandtheywillturntooil;rubthepartsaffectedfreely.Ihavecuredknee-sprunghorseswiththisoilfrequently.


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SoreandScummedEyesonHorses.

Takefreshbutterorrabbit'sfat,honey,andthewhiteofthreeeggs,wellstirredupwithsalt,andblackpeppergroundtoafinepowder;mixitwellandapplytotheeyewithafeather.Alsorubabovetheeye(inthehollow,)withthesalve.Washfreelywithcoldspringwater.

ForaBruisedEye.

Takerabbit'sfat,anduseasabovedirected.Bathefreelywithfreshspringwater.Ihavecuredmanybloodshoteyeswiththissimpleremedy.

Poll-evilorFistula.

TakeofSpanishflies1oz.,gumeuphorbium3drachms,tartaremetic1oz.,rosin3oz.;mixandpulverize,andthenmixthemwithahalflb.oflard.Anointeverythreedaysforthreeweeks;greasethepartsaffectedwithlardeveryfourdays.Washwithsoapandwaterbeforeusingthesalve.Inpoll-evil,ifopen,pulverizeblackbottleglass,putasmuchineachearaswilllayonadime.Theaboveisrecommendedinoutsidecallous,suchasspavin,ringbone,curbs,windgalls,etc.etc.

FortheFersey.

Take1quartofsassafrasrootbark,1quartburdockroot,spicewoodbrokefine,1pintrattleweedroot.Boilin1-1/2gallonsofwater;scaldbran;whencoolgiveittothehorseonceadayfor3or4days.Thenbleedhimintheneckandgivehimthehorsepowderasdirected.Inextremecases,Ialsorowelinthebreastandhindlegs,toextractthecorruptionandremovetheswelling.Thisisalsoanefficientremedyforblooddiseases,etc.,etc.

ToMaketheHairGrowonManorBeast.

Takemilkofsulphur1/2drachm,sugaroflead1/2drachm,rosewater1/2gill,mixandbathewelltwiceadayfortendays.

CholeraorDiarrheaTincture.

1oz.oflaudanum,1oz.ofspiritsofcamphor,1oz.spiritsofnitre,1/2oz.essenceofpeppermint,20dropsofchloroform;putallinabottle,shakewell,andtake1/2teaspoonfulincoldwateronceeverysix,twelveandtwenty-fourhours,accordingtothenatureofthecase.

CurefortheHeaves.

Give30grainsoftartaremeticeveryweekuntilcured.

ProcessofcausingaHorsetolaydown.

Approachhimgentlyupontheleftside,fastenastraparoundtheancleofhisfore-foot;thenraisethefootgently,soastobringthekneeagainstthebreastandthefootagainstthebelly.Thelegbeinginthisposition,fastenthestraparoundhisarm,whichwilleffectuallypreventhimfromputtingthatfoottothegroundagain.Thenfastenastraparoundtheoppositeleg,andbringitoverhisshoulder,ontheleftside,sothatyoucancatchholdofit;thenpushthesegently,andwhenhegoestofall,pullthestrap,whichwillbringhimonhisknees.

Nowcommencepattinghimunderthebelly;bycontinuingyourgentlestrokesupon


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thebelly,youwill,inafewminutes,bringhimtohiskneesbehind.Continuetheprocess,andhewilllieentirelydown,andsubmithimselfwhollytoyourtreatment.Bythusproceedinggently,youmayhandlehisfeetandlegsinanywayyouchoose.

Howeverwildandfractiousahorsemaybenaturally,afterpracticingthisprocessafewtimes,youwillfindhimperfectlygentleandsubmissive,andevendisposedtofollowyouanywhere,andunwillingtoleaveyouonanyoccasion.

Unlessthehorsebewild,thefirsttreatmentwillbeallsufficient;butshouldhebetoofractioustobeapproachedinamannernecessarytoperformthefirstnamedoperation,thisyouwillfindeffectual,andyoumaythentrainyourhorsetoharnessoranythingelsewiththeutmostease.

Inbreakinghorsesforharness,aftergivingthepowders,puttheharnessongently,withoutstartlinghim,andpathimgently,thenfastenthechaintoalog,whichhewilldrawforanindefinitelengthoftime.Whenyoufindhimsufficientlygentle,placehimtoawagonorothervehicle.

NOTE.Beextremelycarefulincatchingahorse,nottoaffrighthim.Afterheiscaught,andthepowdersgiven,rubhimgentlyonthehead,neck,backandlegs,andoneachsideoftheeyes,thewaythehairlies,butbeverycarefulnottowhip,forayounghorseisequallypassionatewithyourself,andthisperniciouspracticehasruinedmanyfineandvaluablehorses.Whenyouareridingacolt(o

revenanoldhorse),donotwhiphimifhescares,butdrawthebridle,sothathiseyemayrestupontheobjectwhichhasaffrightedhim,andpathimupontheneckasyouapproachit;bythismeansyouwillpacifyhim,andrenderhimlessliabletostartinfuture.

MeansoflearningaHorsetopace.

Buckleafourpoundweightaroundtheanclesofhishindlegs,(leadispreferable)rideyourhorsebrisklywiththoseweightsuponhisancles,atthesametime,twitchingeachreinofthebridlealternately,bythismeansyouwillimmediatelythrowhimintoapace.Afteryouhavetrainedhiminthiswaytosomeextent,changeyourleadedweightsforsomethinglighter;leatherpadding,orsomethingequaltoit,willanswerthepurpose;lethimweartheselightweightsuntilh

eisperfectlytrained.Thisprocesswillmakeasmoothandeasypacerofanyhorse.

Horsemanship.

Theridershould,inthefirstplace,letthehorseknowthatheisnotafraidofhim.Beforemountingahorse,takethereinintothelefthand,drawittightly,puttheleftfootinthestirrup,andraisequickly.Whenyouareseatedpressyourkneestothesaddle,letyourleg,fromtheknee,standout;turnyourtoeinandheelout;situprightinyoursaddle,throwyourweightforwardonethirdofitinthestirrupsandholdyourreintight.Shouldyourhorsescare,youarebracedinyoursaddleandhecannotthrowyou.

IndicationofaHorse'sDisposition.

Along,thinneckindicatesagooddisposition,contrariwise,ifitbeshortandthick.Abroadforehead,highbetweentheears,indicatesaveryviciousdisposition.

Cures,&c.

CurefortheFounder.Let1-1/2gallonsofbloodfromtheneckvein,makefrequentapplicationsofhotwatertohisforelegs;afterwhich,bathetheminwetcloth


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s,thengiveonequartLinseedOil.Thehorsewillbereadyforservicethenextday.

Botts.Mixonepinthoneywithonequartsweetmilk,giveasadrench,onehourafter,dissolve1oz.pulverizedCoperasinapintofwater,uselikewise,thengiveonequartofLinseedOil.Cureeffectual.

Colic.Afterbleedingcopiouslyinthemouth,takeahalfpoundofrawcotton,wrapitaroundacoaloffireinsuchawayastoexcludetheair;whenitbeginstosmoke,holditunderthehorse'snoseuntilhebecomeseasy.Curecertainintenminutes.

Distemper.Take1-1/2gallonsbloodfromtheneckvein,thengiveadoseofSassafrasOil,1-1/2ouncesissufficient.Curespeedyandcertain.

Fistula.Whenitmakesitsappearance,rowelbothsidesoftheshoulder;ifitshouldbreak,takeoneounceofverdigris,1ounceoilrosin,1ouncecopperas,pulverizeandmixtogether.Useitasasalve.

ReceiptforBoneSpavinorRing-Bone.

Takeatable-spoonfulofcorrosivesublimate;quicksilveraboutthesizeofabean;3or4dropsofmuriaticacid;iodineaboutthesizeofapea,andlardenoughtoformapaste;grindtheiodineandsublimatefineasflour,andputaltoge

therinacup,mixwell,thenshearthehairalloffthesizeyouwant;washcleanwithsoap-suds,rubdry,thenapplythemedicine.Letitstayonfivedays;ifitdoesnottakeeffect,takeitoff,mixitoverwithalittlemorelard,andaddsomefreshmedicine.Whenthelumpcomesout,washitcleaninsoap-suds,thenapplyapoulticeofcowdung,leaveitontwelvehours,thenapplyhealingmedicine.

TemperanceBeverage.

Onequartofwater,threepoundsofsugar,oneteaspoonfuloflemonoil,onetable-spoonfulofflour,withthewhiteoffoureggs,wellbeatup.Mixtheabovewelltogether,thendividethesyrup,andaddfourouncesofcarbonicsodainone-half,andthreeouncesoftartaricacidintheotherhalf;thenbottleforuse.

SarsaparillaSyrup.

OneounceSarsaparilla,twopoundsbrownsugar,tendropswintergreen,andhalfpintofwater.

Taming and Training Wild Horses

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