COLTS IN THE FIELD. 143 



and not made to exert themselves to the point of extreme 

 exhaustion. One great error is that a hard track is con- 

 sidered essential to train a trotter on. An inch or so of 

 loose dirt would lessen the concussion ; and though the 

 drag of the wheels would require a little more force to 

 overcome the friction, the advantage resulting to the 

 limbs would far more than counterbalance this slight evil. 

 PUPIL. There is where my favorites would show their 

 superiority ; and admitting that they do not acquire the 

 trotting step as readily as some others, their stamina 

 would warrant them in being worked harder, without en- 

 dangering their future welfare. Any one who will take 

 the trouble to watch colts, when running in a field, will 

 coincide with me in the belief that they take more exer- 

 cise of their own accord, than would be sufficient to learn 

 to trot and endure the fatigues of a 3 in 5 race. I have 

 spoken before of the enjoyment there is in watching a 

 lot of colts playing in a field, their manoeuvres being so 

 varied that I never tire of observing them. At first they 

 will trot off in divisions, throwing their heads up, their 

 tails curving over their backs. What a grand quadrille 

 they are performing, now advancing among each other, 

 wheeling in circles, and mixing together in seemingly in- 

 extricable confusion, yet in harmony with the stately step 

 and flashing eye! This is only the prelude. Soon the 

 lofty trot gives place to the simultaneous charge, and 

 away they go to the extreme range of the inclosure, only 

 to rush back with accelerated speed. There is no need 

 of whip and spur to stimulate them to their utmost effort : 

 every one except the veriest dunghill is emulous to excel ; 

 and the most exhilarating "trials of speed" I ever wit- 

 nessed have been on the vernal sod of a large pasture 

 field. It needs no one to pick out for you the blood in 

 these assemblages. A few courses, and some will cry 



