290 TALES OF THE TURF. 



Blessed with a sunshiney disposition and sanguine 

 temperament, with a kind word and a pleasant smile for 

 everyone ; no wonder that all the pretty country girls ad- 

 mired the handsome little school-teacher, nor, that later 

 on, the wild and timid colts almost immediately gave him 

 their confidence. To gain the confidence of a horse is 

 the first and greatest step to success, and a faculty that 

 nature has been niggardly in bestowing, for it is pos- 

 sessed by few men. Until that point is reached, there is 

 no need of trying to educate a horse ; once accomplished 

 the remainder is easy. 



"Pat" Shank certainly possesses it, and is a genius 

 in his branch of the profession, that of breaking and edu- 

 cating youngsters. I am not writing of a man who has 

 brought his jaded horse first to the wire in many a bit- 

 terly contested grand circuit heat, for his experience in 

 that capacity is limited, and his name unknown to the 

 world who have witnessed the brilliant drives of a Doble, 

 a Hickok, a Goldsmith, or a Geers. But, in the greater 

 faculty, if the more obscure one, of educating a colt to 

 trot, Pat Shank need yield the palm to no man. Others 

 may fit a developed horse into better condition ; many can 

 drive a race for the money, possibly better than Pat — but 

 he can drive for my money at that in any company. Oth- 

 ers may have the honor and glory of adepts in campaign- 

 ing, but the quiet, even-tempered man who first lays hands 

 on a colt, and teaches him to step, is the greater genius, 

 and the one most in demand, for the public has awakened 

 to the fact that there is a separate branch of the profes- 

 sion. Had we more such men there would be more trot- 

 ters, fewer hobblers and spoiled colts, among the many 

 thousands of high-bred ones that are annually produced. 



