LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 446 



lie is entitled to. He is but little over one year old, and has 

 had his first engagement, and stood the fire well. You may 

 have others as fast, but the peojDle will not be as anxious to 

 see them as this one, for his laurels were won in actual con- 

 test, not in the show ring. Continue his education about 

 the same as before. A half-mile in 1 :26 was about the rate 

 of the Northern yearling record, until 1888. As you have 

 never been a mile yet with him, you must have him in good 

 condition. Keej) up his work in company as much as is 

 convenient when you speed him, but never take a colt out 

 on the track or road, to have a visit Avitli some friend or 

 neighbor. They learn very quickly how to gossip, and 

 rather enjoy it. It is better to teach them when along- 

 side of other horses to be ready for business. Many a 

 race has been lost that could have been won had the 

 leading horse not fooled away his time by waiting for com- 

 pany. 



In the latter part of August and through September the 

 , flies and mosquitoes are very annoying and worry the colts 

 greatly, and much can be done to save them by nets and 

 bars. A short, light leather net, to p>rotect a colt behind the 

 saddle of the harness, is sufficient, and will help to keep 

 him in good humor, and when turned out to grass, a sheet 

 well put on and fastened i^roperly will save more in the colt 

 than the wear and tear of a sheet. Through September give 

 the colt a slow mile about once a week. I mean by a slow 

 mile, a mile always well within his rule of sjoeed. For in- 

 stance, if the colt can trot a mile pushed to his utmost limit 

 in 2:50, drive him a mile in 3:00 and the last quarter a 2:o0 

 gait. In this Avay you do not take out of the colt all of his 

 life and ambition, neither do you let him know that the mile 

 is too long for him or get him discouraged. 



You will find there is a grain of sulk in the makeup of 

 many good race-horses. It requires a good deal of tact and 

 ingenuity to get out of such animals their full measure of 

 speed. Take the case of the black gelding Guy that was 

 handled by me in 1885, when five years old. He would do 



