i6 THE TROTTING HORSE OF AMERICA. 



my judgment, from the method I have seen the best breed- 

 ers and trainers of thoroughbred runners adopt with their 

 stock. 



Now, to begin with the colt. Just as soon as the mare 

 is quiet while you are doing so, you may handle the colt. 

 Do it in such a manner as to make him tractable and kind. 

 Speak softly to him, encourage him to come up and smell 

 of your hand ; and, when you touch him, do so gently and 

 soothingly. From the first week of the horse's life until 

 the last, you will find that he will be inclined to do what 

 you require of him, provided you can make him understand 

 what it is. Some men that have hold of horses apparently 

 don't know themselves, and therefore it is not to be won- 

 dered at that the horse don't. Just as soon as you get 

 familiar with the colt, which will be very soon if you com- 

 mence while he is very young, rub his head occasionally, pat 

 him, and sometimes pick up one of his legs. Do it gently ; 

 and by so doing you will teach him to let it be done quietly 

 when the time comes at which it must be done somehow. 

 It is understood, of course, that the mare and colt have 

 shelter at night, and run out during the da}^, — on fine days, 

 at any rate. Now, if the young one is never touched until 

 you want to take hold of him for some needful purpose, you 

 will find that he has become wild, and will try to break 

 things before you can manage him. 



The breeders of race-horses understand this very well, 

 and they commonly take great pains with their colts. But 

 as to early feeding, their method is one which I advise the 

 breeders of trotters not to follow. It is, that as soon as tho 

 colt will eat bruised oats, which will be at less than two 

 months old, he is to have all that he can consume. Nay, I 

 find tliat one gentleman, and one of a great deal of ability, 

 too, in that line, advises to begin with giving him oatmeal 

 in gruel before he can eat the bruised oats. This is to be 

 followed up with four quarts or more of oats a day, when he 

 vs weaned, besides the pasturage. I say to the reader of 



