LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 433 



early summer deiDartment. It runs about like this: "Your 



correspondent made a flying trip to and found track 



matters lively. In talking with one of the prominent drivers, 

 he said Geo. Leavitt's yearling had shown a half in 1:20, 

 and no doubt would wipe out all colt records this fall.'' 

 More trouble in camp again, for that same colt is entered 

 in the August meeting, and will no doubt have a sure thing 

 of winning. Do not get nervous over this old chestnut. If 

 there is any truth in the report, he is already overworked, 

 and it is dollars to doughnuts that he will not start. When 

 you are trotting in August he will be out in pasture nursing 

 a sore finger or gaining strength to winter on. If you area 

 novice in the business, or even quite an old hand, but in- 

 clined to be nervous, such items will set you on edge a little, 

 or serve to discourage you somewhat for no good reason, 

 because your colt has only been handled enough to fairly 

 know the way around the track. 



You have June and July to prepare in yet, and if you 

 are training seven or eight yearlings the one you work the 

 most moderately and the one that keejps coming a little all 

 the time, will be the best one you will have to start. If you 

 have your colt keyed up to a high pitch now, he will have 

 nothing left in August. It is important to understand how 

 to get an animal up to the highest state of condition and 

 perfect form, to accomplish a great feat. It is not done in a 

 week or a month, and can not be done j)roperly with too 

 much haste. To do it well requires more than guess work, 

 but also needs strict attention to all the details connected 

 with it, and those with a natural tact for the business suc- 

 ceed the best. 



June is a good month to commence sending the colt 

 along. He is now in fair fettle, his muscles are hard, and 

 he is beginning to get control of his legs, is not afraid if he 

 makes a misstep, and has not been forced to trot very much 

 faster than he has felt like going. It is a good plan to now 

 get him into company occasionally, something a shade 

 slower than he is. Teach him to score up and start away 



