242 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



after he is fully developed in growth, the history of trotting shows that 

 this increase of speed continues to develop until the horse is from ten to 

 twelve years old. Hence there should be no hurry to develop the animal 

 while young. He should be driven from the time he is three years old, 

 sufficient to cause him to lengthen his stride as much as possible. He 

 should be taught to listen quickly, never to frighten or shy at any ob- 

 ject, and this by familiarizing him with whatever may be near. In his 

 brushes, either on the road or the track, however sharp they may be, 

 they should never be extended until the animal shows signs of distress. 

 When he is being regularly trained for some public trial of speed, it will 

 b« time enough to find out if he can go the desired pace. 



DRIVING ON THE ROAD. 



Road driving, like driving or riding a race, is a fine art. In road 

 driving the object is not only to get good speed out of the animal driven, 

 but he must also be made to go in fine style. With a horse of naturally 

 fine action, this, if the driver understands his business, is not difficult. If 

 not a horse of naturally fine style and action, he may be spoiled. For 

 road work the horse should have been better flexed than when he is to 

 be used for trotting a race. He must be able to turn out quickly and 

 handsomely in passing or meeting other teams. When being driven 

 slowly, he must carry himself handsomely. Thus something must be 

 sacrificed to this end. 



Every horse should have a perfect fitting bit. It should be of the 

 proper size and length for the mouth, and this can only be decided by 

 trial. Keep trying different bits until you find one in which the horse 

 works comfortably. Above all, in handling a young horse do not injure 

 the mouth with a cruel or rough bit. Above all, never be so cruel as k) 

 jerk his mouth with the reins. The bit is the medium of communication 

 between the driver and the horse. If there is any speed in the horse, it 

 is to be gotten out of him by means of the bit, and hence the more sens- 

 itive you can keep the mouth, the more likely you are to succeed. If 

 you render the mouth numb or callous through pulling, twitching, saw- 

 ing or other smart tricks of drivers, you do so to the permanent injury of 

 the horse. Therefore first acquire a nice touch yourself, and there wiil 

 be no difficulty in imparting it to the horse. 



Never lose your temper with the horse. If a horse does so that is no 

 reason why you should. Never strike a horse with the whip for any 

 fault, and then jerk him back with the reins. If necessary to punish 

 him, first assure yourself thal^you have him sufficiently well in hand so 

 he cannot "jump out of the harness." Have a definite object in view, 

 for every use of rein or whip. Above all avoid a steady, rigid pull on 

 ike horse. Some horses will not trot without being pulled hard. It is 



