44 CASE IX POIXT. 



his head against the wall, throw himself down and 

 bruise himself from head to foot. Indeed he contracted 

 scars which he never quite lost ; and, in addition, his 

 temper was so severely tried that he sulked and 

 .became jaded for weeks. In short, it was evident that 

 had the use of the elastic reins been continued he would 

 have been ruined irretrievably. 



I have heard of several colts being fairly mouthed 

 with these gutta percha reins ; but that in no way 

 affects the argument, for their tempers could not have 

 been so sensitive, and moreover they would undoubt- 

 edly have been better mouthed with common leather 

 reins, properly adjusted, for the reason above given. 



I used to wish that every colt-breaker in the country 

 had the money wherewith to purchase a dumb jockey, 

 but now I am thankful that they have not got it to 

 spare ! 



When the state of the weather and ground will 

 admit of it, the colt should have one hour's walking 

 exercise with a lad on him daily, and his food should 

 consist of four quarterns of bruised oats per day ; the 

 last feed on Wednesday and Saturday evenings being 

 varied by a linseed and bran mash. This work should 

 continue until February, when cantering should com- 

 mence going about a quarter of a mile at a steady 

 canter on some good soft turf, and if on rising ground 

 so much the better. 



This distance should be got over from eight to ten 

 times, walking the remainder of the time, which should 

 never exceed one hour. 



