EVERY MAN HIS OWN TRAINER. 1 7 



instead of too much track work, as many get very sick of a 

 track, there is too much sameness about it, they want a change 

 of work and scenery. I would recommend in road work to 

 go different directions on alternate days. A yearling colt 

 should not be driven any day to exceed two miles, and in 

 many cases one mile would be better. 



As soon as you discover that your colt is getting a little 

 stale, that is dull and sour, let him up, stop working him. If 

 he is shod with full shoes remove them, so as to rest his feet 

 as well as otherwise. Let up on his grain about half if he is on 

 strong feed, as different horses require difierent feed to keep 

 them in condition, as well as different men require different 

 amounts of food to keep them in good health. If it is warm 

 weather give them a run to grass, say from one to three 

 weeks. I w'ould prefer a short pasture to a flush of feed, as 

 he is liable to take on too much flesh. As soon as you see 

 your colt brighten up and show playfulness, it indicates that 

 he is rested out. I would prefer, when it is convenient, to 

 work him one day and the next let him run out in a paddock 

 or small pasture. 



Many times colts do better to let them run out nights if 

 it is nice warm weather, in fact experiment — try first one way 

 and then another — some will do better shut up and some run- 

 ning out. It is well to humor a colt and work him according 

 to his temperament. Children do not all need the same treat- 

 ment to have them take kindly to their books, it is the same 

 with a colt, he may need a change from ordinary handling. 



In the fall when his first season's work is over in his 

 yearling form, his shoes should be removed. See that his feet 

 are level and proper length, run a file around the sharp 

 edge so they will not peel or break up, and if his heels 

 are high lower them, as high heels are dangrous. The 

 foot is more apt to contract, and by letting the heel down it 

 throws the pressure upon the frog and keeps the heel spread 

 out and foot in proper form. It will be beneficial many times 

 to put some light irritant around the coronet, such as am- 



