BROOD MARES AND COLTS 211 



he should be treated as a horse in every respect but 

 in his work, which should be moderate till the fifth 

 year ; but previously to that time a customer will 

 always be ready for him, and if his owner is disposed 

 to part with him, his average price will be from one 

 to two hundred sovereigns. 



The action of the colt, especially that of the shoulders, 

 will be greatly benefited by riding him up and down 

 hills and trotting him gently on deep ground. He 

 should be taught to leap at three years. 



When I say that a colt should be treated as a horse 

 after the third year, I mean, of course, that he should 

 be treated after the system I have laid down for hunters, 

 and not allowed his summer's run at grass. Hard 

 meat will make him powerful and handsome : grass 

 wiU render him, comparatively speaking, heavy, 

 pot-bellied, and shapeless. 



What I am now going to advance may appear like 

 straining the point ; but I am convinced of the truth 

 of it, and therefore boldy assert it. It is my confirmed 

 opinion, that unless a colt be what is called " deformed," 

 it is in the power of good keep, exercise, and physic, 

 to make him what is termed " a fine horse," and one 

 that will sell for a large price, either for harness or the 

 saddle. No one but those who have witnessed it 

 are aware of the improvement in shoulders, thighs, 

 gaskins, etc., from good oats (old) and beans, accom- 

 panied by regular work and proper riding. Being 

 a great man for proof, I will mention one instance, 

 which is as good as a hundred. 



Five years ago, i.e. in 1820, I was riding to meet 



