74 BREAKING. 



I may aptly conclude this chapter by describing the treat- 

 ment of the yearlings in the paddock adopted by the late Sir 

 Tatton Sykes. Not a few amongst my readers will have 

 pleasing recollections of strolls with the lamented owner 

 round the Sledmere paddocks. There, were to be seen in 

 each capacious and well-divided inclosure, some twenty or 

 thirty yearlings disporting themselves in the best of pastures 

 many acres in extent; the colts and fillies judiciously and 

 timely separated, whilst the foals with their dams evidenced 

 by their gambols their absolute freedom. 



Here, it may be said literally, the yearlings knew no 

 restraint from the day they were foaled until taken to 

 the place of sale. The best of corn grown on the estate, 

 and hay from the surrounding pastures, given in the man- 

 gers running the whole length of the sheds, was the chief, 

 if not the only forage supplied to the yearlings. These 

 sheds are the sole protection against the weather, except in 

 severe frost, when exercise would be dangerous. On no other 

 occasions are they kept in the stables, I believe, a single day, 

 except for a short time before the day of sale, to accustom 

 them to a little restraint before being led out. There can 

 be no method equal to this, to my mind, in which to rear 

 thoroughbred stock ; some of the results of it, in my own 

 experience as a buyer, will be given when I treat of the 

 purchase of yearlings. 



