THE HORSE: ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 123 



do not think of buying horses until they are six years of 

 age, and their horses last as long again. 



Now the question may be raised here by many of 

 my readers " How can it pay to breed horses and keep 

 them so many years without working them?" There is 

 certainly a great deal in that, but a horse at six years old 

 is worth more than a horse at four. A farmer can often 

 utilize a horse a little on a farm, by putting a saddle on 

 him and riding him round the farm, or taking him to 

 market once a week. Such light work as this does not 

 hurt the young horse, it does it good, but it should not be 

 kept at hard regular work. As a rule, breeding cart horses 

 pays much better than breeding nag horses, because cart 

 colts can be broken in at two years old, and do a little 

 light work if required. At three years of age they can go 

 to constant work on the farm, as long as they are not put 

 to draw any very heavy loads. Cart colts want but very 

 little breaking in. The halter should be put round their 

 neck and the colts led for a few times ; their harness can 

 then be put on. If they are led round for a few times 

 it will be sufficient. When there are three chain horses 

 the young horse can be put in the middle and taken to 

 plough. The colt will want leading by a man, and should 

 not be trusted with a boy for the first month, as many 

 farmers do, and after that, if a little care is bestowed upon 

 them, they are but very little more trouble, and will work 

 as quietly as old horses. Of course care should be taken 

 when they are put in a cart. They should be allowed to 

 draw it about once or twice without putting any load 



