TEACHING YEARLINGS. 213 



head lad, who should practise them occasionally 

 to go to what is called " the head," that is, a 

 little in front of the other colts, he (the lad) 

 having previously cautioned the boy that may be 

 riding a colt against him, to sit steady and not 

 urge his colt on beyond the pace he has been ac- 

 customed to go, while he steadily goes, for a short 

 way up the gallop, head and neck with the colt 

 against him. The lad, then taking a pull, should 

 go head and head for a few strides ; then for a 

 short distance, before finishing the gallop, he 

 should go out to the front, and take the lead for 

 a few lengths, just previous to the pulling up of 

 the two or three colts, whichever it may be. 



Thus should the colts occasionally be prac- 

 tised on the downs; or, which is to be preferred, 

 up between the rails of a course, passing the win- 

 ning post, and pulling them up at the usual or 

 convenient distance beyond it; and after they 

 have recovered their wind, they should be turned 

 about, and walked back to the weighing-house; 

 here the boys, if not too small, may dismount 

 and make much of them, then get on them again, 

 and walk them quietly away. 



Such are the precautionary measures to be ob- 



