THE ARMY HORSE. 217 



Let us take as an example the numerous half-bred horses of 

 Normandy. They are supposed to be the least precocious of 

 all the horses produced in France, and it is generally admitted 

 that they cannot be got ready much earlier than six years old. 



Norman breeders naturally class their colts, at first, accord- 

 ing to their origin, and afterwards by their make and shape. 



The young animals are put into the three following 

 ■classes : — 



1. Match trotters. 



2. Horses for fashionable purposes* and for trade work. 



3. Remounts. 



Trotters begin to be gradually exercised and trained at two 

 years old, or at two and a half at latest. They are generally 

 full grown at three, are in good form and compete in races. 

 The best trotting prizes are reserved for three-year olds. 

 They can actually trot a distance of two miles and a half in 

 .about six minutes and a half. The distance is often over 

 three miles, to successfully cover which the trotter requires 

 speed and staying power. During his training, and during 

 the time he is racing, he has to undergo the severest exertion 

 of which a horse is capable, "f* 



A horse for fashionable purposes, which is intended for a 

 ■dealer who can pa)^ a good price for him, is almost a foal at 



cartilages before putting a horse into work, I reply by advising them to buy five- 

 -and-a-half year old horses, so as to have them ready at six. They will tell me 

 that such animals cannot be found. Why ? Because trade gives them to the 

 buyer at a much earlier age. Therefore the universal practice is to work them at 

 ,an earlier age. Q. E. D. The four year old should, of course, be treated with 

 care. Here the important thing is to prove that at that age he is fit for work. 



* This class comprises horses which had been intended to act as stallions in 

 studs, but as they did not fulfil the expectations of their owners, they were 

 ■cut and used for commercial purposes. 



t It is interesting to note that half-bred trotters stand racing better than 

 thorough-breds. 



Thorough-breds "click" ("forge ") when running or when being trained, far 

 more frequently than half-breds. 



