26 



The Horse Farrier. 



LADY SUFFOLK. 



spring at an early age manifest their precocity in this respect. 

 Hence the breeder who wishes to obtain rapid and graceful trot- 

 ting horses, will select both the sire and the dame from those 

 families or breeds of horses which have exhibited superior excel- 

 lence in this . particular, and he should also be sure that the 

 animals selected exhibit peculiar excellence in this respect. Not 

 that they must be what is called '"fast," but they should be nim- 

 ble, lively steppers, should move easily and gracefully, and exhib- 

 it that oneness and quickness of temper which renders them at 

 all times perfectly manageable. Pursuing such a course, the 

 breeder may reasonably expect to produce animals the average 

 of trotting horses, but if he expects every colt will prove a "fly- 

 er " he will be pretty sure to be disappointed, for by the utmost 

 care and skill a few only will prove fast. 



The training of the trotting horse requires much time and 

 skill, and differs very materially from the race horse. In train- 

 ing the race horse, the principal object sought is to put the ani- 

 mal in such condition as will most fully develope his muscKlar 

 powers. The pace is a natural one, and comparatively little can 

 be done to improve it. 



In training the trotter, not only must he. be put in the same 

 phenial condition, but in addition to this, he must be taught to 

 ox( rt his powers in a pace allogL'Lher unnatural to him, and one 

 which, when pushed, it is ditScult for him to keep. 



