TRAINING THE TROTTER 315 



and encourage him to obey such admonitions to go faster at every part of 

 the track, upon which he should always be driven now, so that he may 

 become accustomed to the turns. The distance travelled each day must 

 entirely depend upon the colt, as some animals require an amount of work 

 to keep them fit which would knock up others. Finally, the yearlings 

 should be tried about the last week in July or the beginning of August. 



The training of the made trotter resembles the final stage of the 

 yearling's preparation, so far as the daily exercise goes, as this must 

 necessarily vary in the case of different horses. Trainers, moreover, are 

 not all of one mind upon the subject of walking and jogging exercise. 

 Mr. John Splan is of the opinion that a horse can have too much of it; 

 and consequently he favours plenty of slow heats, adding to this piece of 

 advice the information that "if he"- the horse "is any good when he 

 gets into condition, he will show you the speed". It, moreover, stands to 

 reason that the speed of any horse will be prejudicially affected if he is 

 being continually sent along at full speed. He should, therefore, not be 

 driven as fast as he will go; and occasionally, if not always, he should be 

 exercised in good company, the trainer taking care to use his best en- 

 deavours to make the horse obedient to his voice. Should he break, take 

 hold of his mouth gently and talk to him, the use of the whip under such 

 circumstances being greatly to be deprecated. It is desirable, too, to have 

 two sets of sulkies, a heavy one for road work, and one of a lighter build 

 for use upon the track; and the greatest attention should be paid to the 

 Question of shoes, as no two animals require these of identical, weight and 

 make. Boots should also be worn, and especially skin boots on the hind- 

 legs, the limbs being carefully examined every time the horse comes in; 

 and if there are any signs of a bruise, or if there appears to be any prospect 

 of the horse hitting himself at any point, that particular part should be 

 carefully protected and the shoes examined, and, if necessary, removed, 

 altered, and readjusted. 



Always endeavour to avoid over-exercising a trotter, and never permit 

 him to extend himself on muddy or very hard ground. The latter, sooner 

 or later, is certain to produce concussion or bruises, and to obviate it many 

 trainers shoe their horses with a strip of sponge an inch thick inserted 

 between the iron and the hoof at the quarters of the foot. A poultice 

 of boiled turnips is also recommended for bruises, in order to reduce the 

 inflammation; but whatever course of treatment is pursued, the earliest 

 possible attention should be paid to any injuries to the feet and limbs, not 

 only of the trotter, but of all horses which are being schooled. 



The autumn and winter treatment of adult horses which have had 



a hard season's work will depend a good deal upon the condition in which 



