26 EVERY MAN HIS OWN TRAINER. 



his hair out again with the rub cloths, put his boots and har- 

 ness on, hitch him to the sulky, go out and jog him the re- 

 verse of the track, say half a mile, then turn him, let him go 

 moderately well within himself the first quarter, then com- 

 mence to increase his speed gradually to the half-mile pole, 

 and then a little faster the balance of the mile ; but be sure 

 and have a reserve of speed left for the final brush at the 

 wire. 



Watch him carefully all the time to see that he goes level; 

 if he attempts to break, many times a gentle word, as "Whoa, 

 boy," and a little tightening of the reins at the same time- 

 will correct matters, and as soon as he squares away, ease away 

 on the reins and cluck or speak to him, it will make him go 

 faster and more cheerful than before, as it gives him con- 

 fidence to speak to him and take him back a little at times. 

 It also gives him courage. My idea is to give the colt a 

 change from so much sameness, as constant urging and forc- 

 ing him along. When through with this take him to the 

 stable, remove boots, harness, etc., cool him out as before, do 

 not take him in a hot, close stall, you might better do this un- 

 der a tree or in the shade of a building than to do it in the 

 stable where you have open doors and windows, and there- 

 by get a draft through, which would be bad for your colt. 

 After you have got him sponged and rubbed out, throw a 

 blanket on him. bathe the soles of his feet with nice, fresh 

 water if the weather is hot and the track is dry. Then walk 

 him out until he has cooled out nicely, giving him a few swal- 

 lows of water occasionally; bring him in and brush him out, 

 not too much, however ; give his legs a light rubbing, bathe 

 his shoulders, back and legs with the wash heretofore men- 

 tioned ; put on your derby bandages dry. If your colt's legs 

 are inclined to puff or are gummy, use a linen bandage wet in 

 cold water ; put the rolled bandages in a pail of tepid soft 

 water, wring them out as well as possible with }'our hands and 

 run them on and leave them until they get dry ; then when 

 you take them off you \\ill find his legs cool and nice, having 



