LET ’ S TRAIN A COLT Chapter 5
Things arc looking up ! Our little black filly has taken to the advanced rigors of training very well and appears to be on her way to becoming a pretty good colt . A lot of changes were made in her training program this past month . Our trainer decided she was settled enough to have some real pressure put on her . So far she has met the test .
The big step was putting her in a tail set for the first lime . She had been handled so much that she was not at all afraid of the set but it took a couple of days for her to get used to having all that gear on . She . was to have had her tail rut last month but our trained “ did not like , the signs55 . I was amazed at his thinking , but being an old country boy he said “ with this colt I don ’ t want to take any chances and the signs just aren ’ t right to cut her tail ”. We will tell you more about this later ! She was put in the set before her tail was cut so she could get used to the set .
The training program for the past month has consisted of a thirty to forty-five minute workout even- working day . Our trainer works all his horses five days a week and some of them get an extra days work on Saturday . His barn is closed on Sunday and all the horses get to rest that day too . He has worked her outside whenever weather permitted and she has done very well out in the fields .
A change was made in equipment that he has been working her with . About two weeks ago he switched from a snaffel bit to a regular bit ( sec photo ). This bit swivels at the shank and he wrapped the bit with laytcx rubber to protect her mouth . The curb chain has been kept loose and . he has not put any pressure on her to keep her head set . Whenever she develops a tendency to “ get her nose out ”, he puts a “ de-down ” on her . This is not too tight but lets her know that her nose should not go out but a little bit . As she progresses he will slowly apply
36 whatever pressure is necessary to help her set her head correctly . So far , she is setting up very well without too much persuasion .
The basic training equipment this past month has consisted of chains on her front feet . We have noticed that our trainer has varied his procedure in using chains . He would flat foot her with two pair on , taking it easy with her and concentrating on getting her to relax and fall into a smooth one-two-threefour rhythm , with a good head-shaking motion . After ten or fifteen minutes of ( this , he w ' ould remove one pair of chains and carry her on into a running walk . Most of the time she did very well , but when he tried to push her on too fast , she would slip into a “ slick pace ”. As she would slow down to make make the turns at the end of the barn however she would drop back into a good running walk .
Another innovation was introduced this month that proved very effective . Most of the time when our colt was worked with chains , she had “ spats ” on to protect her feet and thus far , her feet are in pretty good shape . Just for a change , however our trainer tried what the professionals have called a “ tear-drop ” chain . It is an adjustable collar boot with four chains hanging down around the outside . Three links are used . This produces the same action and motion as heavier chains and doesn ’ t injure the colts foot , ( see picture ).
We have heard it said that “ if they aren ’ t shaking their head , they aren ’ t walking ” . . . we have one here that is shaking her head very well . We hope you are having the same luck with your young stock .
A nole regarding “ cutting tails ”. This is a job for a qualified Veterinarian or an experienced horseman . Be sure to get expert advice on this before attempting to cut horses tail . If our fdly has her tail cut this month , she v / ijj probably not get much work for about a week or ten days . She will be exercized daily however , with her tail in wraps .
There is one bit of negative news regarding this particular colt this month . About a week ago , she started to swell in her left front leg . This swelling went all the way up to her elbow but didn ’ t appear to be painful to her . Our trainer quit working her for about a week and kept her ankle wrapped . Twice a day , a groom would wash her leg well with Absorbine Linament and put her on the cooler for about twenty minutes . Our last report was that the swelling had gone down and she was ready to go back to work in earnest . These things happen , so don ’ t get discouraged if it happens to yours . EDITOR ’ S NOTE — The “ tear drop ” boot described in this chapter can be purchjased from the Walking Horse Supply Company , Shelbyville , Tenn .
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