BREEDING THE TROTTER 



must use your own judgment or consult an exper- 

 ienced trainer or a competent blacksmith ; differ- 

 ent colts will require different shoes. The natural- 

 gaited trotter will require light shoes ; double- 

 gaited colts, shoes that are a little heavier. Some 

 colts will show considerable speed without shoes. 

 Fantasy, when two years old, trotted a quarter 

 in thirty-five seconds without them. 



DEVELOPING MUSCLES AND SPEED. 



After the colt is shod if it is doing nicely it can 

 be brushed for a sixteenth or a quarter of a mile 

 each day. By this time it will probably need a 

 pair of quarter boots for protection. 



The colt should never be asked to do all it can. 

 Let it keep a little reserve speed. This will en- 

 courage the youngster, and it will take hold more 

 cheerfully, and will improve as its education 

 progresses. 



When the colt is eight months old go back to 

 leading in addition to the other work. Have the 

 colt led three or four times a week and driven two 

 or three times. 



When January i of the year following that of 

 its foaling arrives the colt will technically become 

 a yearling. 



THE YEARLING. 



By the time the colt technically becomes a year- 

 ling its muscles and speed will be well under way 

 of development. This development should be 

 continued until the middle of May, 



106 



