LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 425 



and in, give them oats mixed with bran and sorghum cut 

 up fine, and in a few days more turn them out in fields away 

 from the dams, where there is j)lenty of grass and water, 

 and a large trough with feed in it constantly. They have 

 been in the habit of taking milk a great many times a day, 

 and they need food just as often. The best way is to keep 

 plenty of mixed food for them, using cracked corn and oats 

 also unthrashed oats run through a cutting-box, then mixed 

 with bran and water enough to moisten it to make the bran 

 adhere to the oats. As the nights get cold take tlie foals in 

 and shelter them from all cold storms. They can not get 

 too much exercise or be out too early, and it is well to leave 

 them out as late as possible. Lead them to and from pas- 

 ture regularly and if not too far one at a time to keep the 

 man in charge from letting two or three hitched together 

 (as is often done), jam each other going through gates and 

 into stalls. Handle their legs and feet a good deal, and in 

 this way they are gradually receiving an important part of 

 their education. 



On the first of January we are done with the weanlings; 

 they have now become yearlings although but about eight 

 months old. It is now time to commence leading them 

 beside a horse. We have a covered track something over 

 one hundred yards long, jDerfectly smooth and covered with 

 tan-bark, which in my opinion is better than a ring, as it 

 makes all straight work and no chance to speed aiound a 

 turn, which must necessarily be sharp if under any ordinary 

 cover. Beside this, on a straight track, you have to come 

 to a walk at each end, and there is but little danger of over 

 working. Now that we are to commen( e our leading beside 

 a horse, the halter breaking (which has been gradually 

 going on until the present time) finds our colts thoroughly 

 accomplished in this, and ready for the next lesson. Put 

 a small open bridle on them, using a perfect-fitting snafHe bit, 

 but do not lead from the bit but from the halter, as one of the 

 most important things for a trotter to have is a good mouth. 

 There is no trouble in restraining or handling a colt by the 



