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The Sense in Training Wild Horses, a Historical View
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By: Wildhorses Info
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Training Wild Horses Is Not Madness
Wild horses are better known as mustangs on the American continent. They are actually horses of mixed breeds. Since only a few horse predators exist in the wild, these wild horses have grown in number.
Historically, it was the Spaniards who brought these horses to America. These horses were of great help in ransacking the indigenous people. Most of these horses escaped to the wild. In addition, when the West started to settle down, more and more horses escaped from ranches. Some starving ranchers even freed their horses.
Now, there are actually several non profit organizations that have the intention of saving these wild horses. Horses left in the wild are often gathered by ruthless ranchers who trained a few, and sent the rest off to be made into dog food. Most of those who adopt wild horses are people who haven’t even owned a horse.
Although they are very enthusiastic in caring for a horse, they may need some special skills in order to train a wild horse. Horses are known to be one of the easiest animals to train. However, the biggest barrier that comes in between is fear.
Through several years, these horses have somehow developed their own defense mechanisms to avoid any harm to come near them. It may not be very easy to train each and every one of them. It may require much work to unlearn the wild instincts of these horses which has been honed for decades.
But basically, training a wild horse is much like training other well-bred horses. You first need to gain their trust. Once you have successfully trained a wild horse to overcome his fear of you, the rest of the job is relatively easy. Wild horses can be as useful as domesticated horses.
In gaining the horse’s trust and confidence, there is no substitute for spending a lot of time with him. You can first take him on short walks. You would also need to provide him with enough forage and excellent care. Wild horses have this special ability to try to escape; you just need to show him that life with you is better than out in the wild.
There are actually some ranches which serve as correctional facilities for these wild horses. They train horse to lead, walk, trot and lope. They even go as far as teaching horses to work like load a trailer. These gentled wild horses can be as good as purely domesticated horses.
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FACT FILE: OLD FASHIONED CURES (Ideas are entirely different now, consult your Vet for any real ailmentadvice. Do not rely on this article.
SADDLE OR COLLAR LINIMENT.
One ounce of spirits of turpentine, half ounce of oil of spike, half ounce
essence of wormwood, half ounce castile soap, half ounce gum camphor, half
ounce sulphuric ether, half pint alcohol, and wash freely.
LINIMENT TO SET THE STIFLE JOINT ON A HORSE.
One ounce oil of spike, half ounce origanum, half ounce oil amber. Shake
it well and rub the joints twice a day until cured, which will be in two
or three days.
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HOW TO STABLE A COLT WITHOUT TROUBLE.
The next step will be, to get the horse into a stable or shed. This should
be done as quietly as possible, so as not to excite any suspicion in the
horse of any danger befalling him. The best way to do this, is to lead a
gentle horse into the stable first and hitch him, then quietly walk around
the colt and let him go in of his own accord. It is almost impossible to
get men, who have never practiced on this principle, to go slow and
considerate enough about it. They do not know that in handling a wild
horse, above all other things, is that good old adage true, that "haste
makes waste;" that is, waste of time, for the gain of trouble and
perplexity.
One wrong move may frighten your horse, and make him think it is necessary
to escape at all hazards for the safety of his life, and thus make two
hours work of a ten minutes job; and this would be all your own fault, and
entirely unnecessary; for he will not run unless you run after him, and
that would not be good policy, unless you knew that you could outrun him;
or you will have to let him stop of his own accord after all. But he will
not try to break away, unless you attempt to force him into measures. If
he does not see the way at once, and is a little fretful about going in,
do not undertake to drive him, but give him a little less room outside, by
gently closing in around him. Do not raise your arms, but let them hang at
your side; for you might as well raise a club. The horse has never studied
anatomy, and does not know but they will unhinge themselves and fly at
him. It he attempts to turn back, walk before him, but do not run; and if
he gets past you, encircle him again in the same quiet manner, and he will
soon find that you are not going to hurt him; and you can soon walk so
close around him that he will go into the stable for more room, and to get
farther from you. As soon as he is in, remove the quiet horse and shut the
door. This will be his first notion of confinement--not knowing how to get
in such a place, nor how to get out of it. That he may take it as quietly
as possible, see that the shed is entirely free from dogs, chickens, or
anything that would annoy him; then give him a few ears of corn, and let
him remain alone fifteen or twenty minutes, until he has examined his
apartment, and has become reconciled to his confinement.
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Article provided by Wildhorses Info.
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