b6 THE TROTTING-HORSE OF AMERICA. 



In the spring, the shedding of the coat is rather a critical 

 time with the horse ; and it is a bad practice to attempt to 

 hurry this operation of nature. Many people are over- 

 anxious to see their horses shed early ; and it is true, that 

 to be backward in shedding is not a sign of a high state 

 of health. But it does not follow that means shall be 

 taken to loosen and remove the old coat before the constitu- 

 tion is quite ready to renew it, and has, in fact, begun to 

 do so. The hair should be suffered to come off naturally ; 

 and as the lads in care of good horses are anxious to get 

 rid of it early, so that they may present a fine appearance 

 the sooner, it will be proper to see that they do not rub it 

 off. Some people give boiled flaxseed or linseed-meal and 

 the like to make their horses shed early j but I am opposed 

 to the practice, being convinced that it is dangerous and 

 mischievous. This sort of poulticing inside opens the 

 pores, starts the coat, and sets the horse to sweating before 

 the season is sufficiently advanced to warrant it ; and the 

 risk of coughs, and inflammation of the lungs, is thereby 

 needlessly increased. The bran-mashes, by which the 

 horse's bowels have been kept in regular order, may be 

 adhered to, but the flaxseed and linseed should not be given. 

 The tendency of them is to relax the system suddenly, 

 and to cause the old hair to come away before the new coat 

 is well started to take its place. 



As the weather gets bright and favorable, the horse's 

 exercise may be increased under saddle, or in leading-reins, 

 from two to four miles. The mettled, high-strung horse 

 must have more of this walking than the others ; but they 

 should all have enough to moderate their exuberant spirits 

 at coming out, and to stop their dancing, capering, and 

 setting their backs up at every thing they meet. This is 

 not to be regarded as a part of the training proper ; but still 

 it is necessary that it should be attended to, for in these 

 walks the muscles are gradually getting their tone, and the 

 horse is being thus prepared for the jogging with which his 



