Breaking of Colts. 45 



along, whether he feels any draught on his shoulders 

 or not. When accustomed to this, he can be put in a 

 sulkey, or beside another horse. See that every part 

 of the harness is strong and perfect. All that now re_ 

 mains is to teach him in his paces, and this is of much 

 importance, as on the perfection of these depends his 

 usefulness and value, and no pace is of more impor- 

 tance than the walk. Pie should be thoroughly drilled 

 in this before any attempt is made to push him to a 

 trot. Keep every pace clear and distinct from the 

 other. 



When walking, he should not be allowed to 

 trot a few stej)s and then commence his walk again. 

 When trotting, as in walking, keep him steadily at his 

 pace, and not allow him to slacken into a walk for a 

 step or two. If you wish to make him a fast trotter, 

 occasionally push him to his extreme s]3eed, for a few 

 moments at a time, and then reward him with kind 

 and soothing words. 



CASTRATION. 



Youatt says of castration : " The period at which 

 this operation may be best performed depends much 

 on the breed and form of the colt, and the purpose for 

 which he is destined. For the common agricultural 

 horse the asre of four or five months will be the most 

 proper time, or, at least, before he is weaned. Few 

 horses are lost when cut at that age. Care, however, 

 should be taken that the weather is not too hot, nor 

 the flies too numerous. 



