RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



ford tested original theories, with striking results. In 

 1879 he built a miniature track, an oval of 313 feet 

 with turns well thrown up, and it soon became re- 

 nowned as a kindergarten of speed. Constant exer- 

 cise in the warm and bright sunshine of California, 

 with plenty of stimulating food, kept the foals grow- 

 ing, and as yearlings they were as well matured as 

 two-year-olds bred and raised in the East, where 

 severe winter weather compelled housing for months. 

 As a weanling Hinda Rose was turned loose on the 

 miniature track and urged to extend herself on the 

 stretches. She was a natural trotter, and learned 

 so rapidly to control her gait that as a yearling, at 

 San Francisco November 14, 1881, she trotted to 

 a record of 2.364. This was an undreamed of per- 

 formance, and throughout the country it created a 

 profound impression. As a two-year-old Hinda 

 Rose came to New York in the stable of Charles 

 Marvin, and I went to Fleetwood Park with Mr. 

 Robert Bonner to look her over. When the blanket 

 was removed and she was led from the box stall, we 

 were astonished at her size. She looked then like 

 a full-grown mare. As a two-year-old Hinda Rose 

 trotted to a record of 2.32, and in October, 1883, at 

 Lexington, Ky., she trotted to a record of 2.194. 

 It was soon after this that Governor Stanford said 

 to me: 



" I believe in developing a colt's strength with his 

 growth. Judicious exercise is beneficial rather than 

 harmful. Let-ups are dangerous to fast young ani- 



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