IV. 



Effects of Early Development. Colts often ovenvoiked. Fast Three-Year 

 Olds and Four- Year Olds. Risk of hurting Stamina. Earlier Maturity 

 of Running-Horses. Evils of over-training Colts. 



r i ^HE question as to whether the early development of 

 _L trotting-horses will have a tendency to impair their 

 endurance in point of time is one of great interest and im- 

 portance. Theoretically, some years ago, it was generally 

 held that it would do so ; but there is some reason to believe 

 that this was a mistake. Still, I am satisfied that unless 

 the work is given in a limited and judicious manner, there 

 will be very great danger of its having a pernicious effecb 

 on the young colt. At present, we have hardly seen enough 

 of the young trotters trained at three and four years old to 

 determine, absolutely, whether the practice is altogether 

 prudent or otherwise. A great deal depends upon the con- 

 stitution and development of the colt himself; and still 

 more, perhaps, upon the sagacity and care of the man who 

 has him in charge. In many cases which have come under 

 my observation, young things have been overworked ; and, 

 when it was found that they began to hitch and hobble, 

 a good let-up would do more to restore the stroke than 

 any thing else. It is quite certain to my mind that there 

 is some risk in the training of colts to such a mark as shall 

 fit them to trot mile heats at three years old; and some 

 that have displayed uncommon fast time in public at their 

 three and four year old stages, would probably have been 

 much better off to-day, if they had never been put through 



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