356 ON BREAKING RACING COLTS. 



tliej know how to go round at this pace, they may 

 be quietly urged on into a trot, gradually increasing 

 the size of the circle by giving them more length of 

 rein. In three or four days, or when they go boldly 

 and freely at full length of the rein each way in the 

 lounge for fifteen or twenty minutes, having by degrees 

 been brought to this pace and time of lounging, the 

 mouthing bits, rollers, and cruppers, may be put on 

 them. 



It may here be necessary for me to give a short de- 

 scription how the two latter should be made. The rol- 

 ler may have a hook in the centre of the pad, but cer- 

 tainly a ring attached on the lower part of each side of 

 the pad, for the purpose of buckling on the side reins. 

 In the front or bottom part of the pad, straps should 

 be attached, as also to that part of the crupper, which, 

 when on, is immediately over the colt's loins. These 

 straps should hang down each side of the crupper as 

 low as the colt's houghs. On the near side where the 

 crupper divides to admit the colt's tail being inserted 

 into it, there should be a buckle to facilitate the putting 

 of it on. When colts are out at exercise in this sort of 

 tackle, these straps, from their action, together witli 

 the wind blowing them about, are almost invariably 

 striking against their legs, and lapping under their 

 bellies ; and although they are a little annoyed by the 

 tackle when first put on, they soon become accustomed 

 to feel the straps about them, which indeed is what is 

 intended they should do. By these means they are 

 taught not to be alarmed when the wind blows a 



