HOW TO TRAIN A COLT. 209 



has false action by nature, and detracts materially from 

 his value. I am not talking about track-horses^ but 

 about gentlemen's driving-horses; and I advise all pur- 

 chasers to " bid low " on a colt that cannot trot all that 

 he can trot without any of this top-hamper whatever. 

 Buy no colts that have to be screwed up or screwed 

 down by patented inventions about the head ; but select 

 one that moves off with an untrammelled neck, and nose 

 held naturally at just the right angle for beauty, and 

 which is held by himself in the right position to accom- 

 modate his movements, whatever be his gait. Beware, 

 also, how you buy colts that have to be "booted" and 

 "padded," and gauntleted with "rollers." If you 

 wish to buy a horse-furnishing establishment, buy one ; 

 but don't buy it with a sample of all your stock tied 

 round the legs of your horse. Buy no colt, young man, 

 that don't go clear in every respect. If he brushes a 

 hair in going, leave him in the breeder's yard for some 

 fool to purchase : never make one of yourself by buy- 

 ing him. His owner will find purchasers enough, no 

 doubt ! 



But to return to the matter of "breaking." Ordi- 

 narily speaking, do not allow your colt to break at all. 

 Remember that your business is to educate him to trot^ 

 not to teach him to run. But if he does ever break, 

 then let him break with a vengeance. Let there be 

 no half-way work about it; no halting and hobbling, 

 and coming back in the breeching, but a regular 

 plunge forward, and a rocket-like movement through 



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