THE TROTTING-IIORSE OF AMERICA. 97 



training really begins. We have all of us experienced how 

 soon we get tired with walking, and how even standing up 

 for a considerable time pains the muscles of the legs at 

 first, after a season of repose and inactivity. This should 

 convince us, that, after the rest the horse has had during the 

 winter, the change to work should be gradual and slow at 

 first. As soon as the horse has been thus prepared, and 

 the roads and weather have become sufficiently favorable, 

 he may be put in harness or to a wagon, and his jogging 

 may begin. Whether he shall go in a sulky or to a wagon 

 should depend upon his disposition, in a great measure ; but 

 it will be also necessary to consider the nature of the 

 engagements he is under in the early part of the coming 

 season. The distance he is to be jogged must be according 

 to his constitution and ability to perform without fatigue ; 

 and of this the trainer must judge from what he knows of 

 him, in reference to former experience, and what he 

 observes as the horse goes from day to day. A good deal 

 of caution is necessary at first ; for, until hardened a little by 

 custom, the horse will be easily overdone, and a great deal 

 of time will be lost solely by reason of having been in too 

 great a hurry. No rule can be laid down for the amount 

 of jogging the horse should have : it is a matter for the 

 judgment of the trainer, in view of the nature of the 

 animal being trained, and of the effect that it is observed 

 to have on him as it is carried on. 



For the first week or ten days, there is to be no fast work 

 at all ; but, at the expiration of that time, the muscles and 

 tendons ought to be seasoned enough to justify the trainer 

 in indulging the horse with slight spurts. In these he may 

 be permitted to move along lively without over-taxing his 

 powers or his wind. No rule can be given as to their 

 length. The only thing to be said is, that they ought not 

 to be very frequent and never long. The judgment of the 

 trainer should enable him to determine how frequent they 

 may be, and to what distance he may venture to send him 



