BREEDING THE TROTTER 



protection against injuries which are liable to pro- 

 duce splints and which have laid up and even 

 retired a great many colts. When the colt is 

 turned out I advise putting shin and quarter boots 

 on for protection. The quarter boots used in the 

 paddock should be kept for this purpose only and 

 a different pair used in training. 



The following week the colt may be led along 

 on a slow jog and for a short distance some place 

 in the half-mile let the colt move along nearly as 

 fast as it will go. Be sure to keep the colt on a 

 trot and its head straight with the body. 



If by this time the colt is leading nicely and 

 shows promise of speed I would advise letting up 

 on the leading for a while. It is not well to force 

 the colt too strenuously, 



GROUND-BREAKING. 



By this time the colt will be approaching seven 

 months of age and it should then be broken to 

 harness. 



Procure a harness that will fit properly and keep 

 it on the colt in the stall from thirty minutes to 

 an hour each day till the youngster becomes 

 accustomed to the strange straps. After that 

 the colt should be driven along the barn hallway 

 or in a smooth paddock till he is thoroughly 

 ground broken and responds to words of com- 

 mand, the most important of which is " whoa." 

 It is equally important that the colt be taught to 

 stand still, particularly after it is hitched. It 

 lessens the pleasure of ownership when you stop 



104 



