FITTING HOUSES FOli MARKET. 265 



colt to draw a load, be sure and have it light at the begin- 

 ning. Gradually increase the weight from time to time as 

 he is able to handle it. Encourage him in his work, start 

 him easy and he will usually get along nicely. Balkiness in 

 horses is nine times out of ten caused by injudicious han- 

 dling at this stage. Many men will load a colt down with far 

 more than he can handle and then, if he does not start right, 

 will whip him and abuse him. When this once happens it is 

 very seldom that a colt will ever develop into a horse of 

 much value. In teaching a colt to draw at first it is very 

 important that he is always placed where he has good foot- 

 ing. Otherwise he may become discouraged and be made to 

 balk. After having him nicely started the main object should 

 be to keep him going and not to undo anything that has 

 already been accomplished. 



In the preparation of horses for the market, breaking, 

 while very important, is only part of the work. Everything 

 should be done to make the animal attractive to the eye of 

 the purchaser. No man can expect to receive the full value 

 for his horses which he has raised and broken unless he fits 

 them in such condition as to meet the requirements of the 

 market. The market demands horses of mature age, and it 

 matters not whether they are trotting bred, coach or draft, 

 they must be in good flesh to bring their full value on the 

 market. Farmers, as a general rule, fail to recognize this 

 last fact, and millions of dollars are lost to the farmers of 

 this country annually, due to this one neglect. A horse is 

 not recognized on the market as being a mature animal 

 until he is five years old. 



In fitting horses for sale it is very important that they 

 be in good condition. Draft horses may oftentimes be fat- 

 tened and will usually make much larger gains when they 

 are confined to the stalls than when worked or given exer- 

 cise. Light horses which are intended for driving purposes 

 cannot be fattened in this way, but should be given a regular 

 amount of exercise every day. and this can best be accom- 

 plished by moderate driving. The stables should be com- 

 fortable, the stalls kept well bedded, and horses so arranged 

 in the stalls as to best attract the eye of visitors or buyers 

 who may happen to visit the farm. 



As previously stated, driving horses should be given a 

 liberal amount of exercise, and this can just as well be 

 accomplished by doing a moderate day's work, but under no 



