128 Training the Trotter, Coacher and Roadster 



miles daily at a very moderate gait. Gradually 

 increase the number of miles to suit the individual. 

 After a time, if the horse conditions nicely, let him 

 go twice each week, Tuesday and Friday, and finish 

 the exercise by carrying him well up to his limit for 

 a quarter mile. Continue this until fair weather in 

 the spring, and then begin giving slow repeats. 



During this part of the training, it is a good plan 

 to score (driving under the wire) the horse a few 

 times each day. By a little patient effort he can be 

 trained so that there will be no difficulty in getting 

 off properly at any time it is desired to start him. 



About the first of May it will be necessary to begin 

 working the horse in mile heats at regular intervals 

 of twenty to twenty-five minutes. This should be 

 done twice each week, say Tuesday and Friday. 

 While the number of heats to be given will depend 

 on the endurance of the individual, it is recommended 

 that he be worked in at least five. At first some of 

 these heats should be finished by carrying him well 

 up to his limit for a quarter or half mile. 



As a rule, successful horsemen do not like much 

 fast work after the horse is ready. They usually 

 work him three to eight seconds from where he 

 is to start, and continue the brush work, often 

 finishing at the top of the horse's speed, but ex- 

 ercising much care never to push him off his feet. 

 This calls for judgment of the gait on behalf of the 

 trainer, but the successful driver will have studied 



