EVERY MAN HIS OWN TRAINER. 47 



miles every other day for the first week, then every day. If 

 your colt is in high condition, increase his work, say the first 

 day four or five miles, the next day six or seven miles, alter- 

 nate!}'. You ought to be able to judge whether he needs 

 more or less work. If not very strong and rather thin in 

 flesh, three or four miles would be enough. 



Now, your colt is three years old, and when you com- 

 mence working him on the track go out with him hitched 

 light. The first time he will probably feel fine and be full of 

 trot ; he will show you more speed than he ever did before if 

 you allow him to. Be very careful not to give him too much 

 of it or let him go too fast — half or two-thirds' speed would 

 be better ; two to three miles joging, and a quarter at a 

 fair rate of speed well within himself. Don't let him break, 

 if possible to prevent, so as to cut himself or hit his quarters, 

 as it would be very bad to frighten him in the commence- 

 ment of his work. Be sure and come off the track with plenty 

 of trot left in him ; do not stay until he says enough ; then 

 your colt will feel encouraged and go on the track the next 

 time cheerful and improve, whereas, if you should tire him 

 the first time he will be reluctant to go to the track on his 

 next working day, and will not act as well and will seem 

 to have his speed. You will say to yourself or a bystander, 

 "There is something the matter with my colt, he don't act 

 natural, he is not himself," when the trouble is you gave him 

 too much the first day, as he felt well and wanted to do it. 

 Perhaps this colt's gait has changed by age and increased 

 strength, as many do, it may be different even from what it 

 was last fall or even in the winter to sleigh ; he may want a 

 little more weight in front, may be less ; you should watch 

 this carefully so as to be sure he is propeiiy balanced. Many 

 colts in their three-year-old form which required weights the 

 fall before may not need them in the spring. I would advise 

 trying them both ways, although they may be acting well — 

 say, if you are going to repeat him put them on for the first 

 heat, in the second heat remove them — set him going carefully 



