236 HOKSE PORTRAITURE. 



the other two were taken up. She soon trotted right over 

 the others, and kept her lead all summer. This impressed 

 me so highly with the benefits to be derived from driving 

 on the ice, that I am determined to pursue it when I got 

 back home, and by giving it a fair trial I think I will be 

 able to decide in relation to its advantages. I think the 

 smooth surface gave her confidence, after the novelty of 

 the situation had worn off. Some cold mornings the ice 

 would crackle and rumble as though an earthquake was 

 breaking up the foundations of the river. This would 

 startle the colt, and she would dart away frightened, 

 though she very soon became accustomed to the noise, and 

 paid no further attention to it. I noticed she would bear 

 more urging without breaking than when on the track. 

 There was a marked difference in her action the following 

 summer keeping her feet under her better, and going 

 more like a trotter in every particular. The treatment 

 for horses trained in this way would have to be very dif- 

 ferent, of course, than if the weather were warm ; walking 

 would be inadmissible, and much grooming would be an 

 injury, by breaking the hair. Large, soft blankets, to ab- 

 sorb the perspiration, and permit the.nioisture to evapo- 

 rate, would be essential. The stable would have to be 

 moderately warm, with plenty of straw to make a bed 

 that would cover their knees as they stood. 



PEECEPTOE. Anything I could say regarding driving on 

 the ice would only be surmise. Though I cannot see any 

 reason why colts would not be benefited by the winter's 

 schooling, I would not like to make the lessons very 

 severe, although when I found the limbs and feet were un- 

 injured, there would not be a great deal to fear otherwise. 

 The rapid inhalation of very cold air might be prejudicial 

 to the lungs, which would be obviated by making the 

 brushes very short. Skating is admitted to be a healthy 

 recreation, provided proper precautions are taken to keep 



