TREATMENT OF YEARLINGS. 125 



discrimination as regards the level of the floor, and can 

 really only be satisfactory when stables stand on high ground, 

 so that not only all liquid but also all decomposed matter may 

 get well swept away from the possibility of hanging about 

 the neighbourhood of stables and creating nauseous smells 

 which poison the air. When stables stand on level ground a 

 system of drains must be adopted which carries away all offen- 

 sive matter to a good distance, and by keeping these drains 

 well flushed, and by the use of a certain quantity of liquid 

 disinfectants, much contagious disease will be avoided which 

 superficial drainage on a flat surface is certain sooner or later 

 to engender. 



Yearlings are placed in the hands of the trainer at various 

 times during the summer and autumn, according to the fancy 

 of the owner, or the means at his disposition for private educa- 

 tion. They often arrive unbitted, and ignorant of all restraint, 

 save that of the cavesson ; and in such cases what may be 

 called the first lesson consists in the adjusting of the breaking- 

 bit, the greatest care being taken not to pinch the pupil's 

 mouth, which old bits are extremely apt to do, and cause a 

 nervousness which may never be thoroughly eradicated, and 

 must always retard the course of tuition. 



After being led about for a few days, an hour and a half a 

 day, the roller and crupper may be put on, with side reins 

 attached to the bit, and crossed over the withers, and thus 

 caparisoned the yearling is lunged, circling right and left 

 alternately to prevent his mouth becoming one-sided, and to 

 prevent his putting more strain on one leg than on the other. 

 Some of them come to hand much quicker than others ; but 

 taking the average, after two weeks of this practice they may 

 be saddled, and driven with a pair of long reins, being pulled 

 about, turned, made to back, mouthed, &c., for another fort- 

 night ; after which mounting can be attempted, a man first 

 leaning gently, then more heavily, and afterwards with all his 

 weight on the saddle, so as gradually to accustom them to the 

 pressure. This is sometimes a long and tiresome process. 



