354 ON BREAKING RACING COLTS. 



The breaking of yearlings or two-3^ear olds, was 

 formerly a business much hurried, and was thought 

 by some grooms not to be of much importance ; but it 

 should never be considered in this light, for, however 

 promising in appearance, or however well-bred a colt 

 may be, — whatever properties he may possess, the sort 

 of racer he will become must greatly depend on the 

 breaking ; as, from bad management, he may be totally 

 spoiled. 



Horses, having, very retentive piemories, are seldom 

 made completely to forget whatever unruly tricks 

 or habits they acquire from being improperly handled 

 in the breaking. Therefore, whether they are broke at 

 home, or sent out for the purpose, it is highly neces- 

 sary that the colt breaker to whom they are entrusted 

 should be a man of experience, who thoroughly under- 

 stands what he is going about. Besides being a good 

 horseman, he should be a man of excellent temper, 

 never allowing his passion to get the better of his dis- 

 cretion when persevering with a colt. A man who 

 has been brought up from a boy in racing stables is to 

 be preferred, as he will know better how to forward 

 them for what they are intended, and will do more 

 with them in considerably less time than colt breakers 

 who are accustomed only to break colts for general 

 purposes. 



I will now treat on the subject of breaking. The 

 first step, is putting on the cavesons ; but before the 

 colts are led out, long boots should be put on their 

 fore legs ; for when they first go out, they pull and 



