101 



Then he may be extended to his best and given every 

 opportunity to show what he can do. He is sent just an 

 eighth this time. If he does not bear about by this time, he 

 may show great speed or just an ordinary amount. Let 

 two or three days go by and then give him this kind of a 

 test again. The first two months, however, should always 

 be worked fast in company with some other horse to lead 

 him. Work him a quarter without forcing or hurrying him 

 too much, and be careful that the ground over which he 

 travels is perfectly smooth and that there are no holes or 

 any obstacles to frighten or worry him. 



At this stage the colt has been sufficiently advanced to 

 get a half mile's speeding in 58 seconds or a minute flat. 

 This is a 2-minute gait. This may be repeated at intervals 

 of every four days for two or three weeks until he is in his 

 eighth week. Now the horse is sufficiently learned to be 

 able to take hold of the bit. At the end of this time give 

 him a fast half mile, and afterward let him canter about 

 gently, so that he will not lose his temper. Keep him slowly 

 at work. 



This terminates his training, and the owner may make 

 engagements for him if he has shown sufficient promise. 

 If he proves to be of no especial value, the best thing the 

 owner can do is to get rid of him. 



But if he proves to be good, he should be kept going, so 

 he will not forget his training and the lessons that have up 

 to that time been taught him. 



All winter, if the ground is good, he should get work, 

 and should be fed well to keep him high in flesh; but he 

 ought not to be permitted to get gross. Only enough is 

 necessary to keep him growing. This is the plan for a year- 

 ling, but it applies to a two-year-old. The latter is more 

 mature and he may have a little more work, for he is able 

 to bear up under it better than the yearling. 



Colts that are put in training, it they are very fleshy* 

 should be given lots of grazing. It makes them eat and 

 feed better and cools them out, fills them with sap, and 

 thereby they eliminate this lusty condition and are stripped 

 of this superfluous flesh. Grass loosens this state of affairs 

 and assists materially in the development of the animal. 



